Final answer:
Deadenylation and decapping are part of the mRNA degradation process in eukaryotic cells, which is key for regulating gene expression and ensuring proteins are not overproduced.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deadenylation and decapping are parts of the mRNA degradation process, which is a crucial element of post-transcriptional regulation in cells. After a eukaryotic mRNA has been synthesized, it undergoes several modifications, including 5' capping, where a 7-methylguanosine cap is added to the 5' end, and the addition of a 3' poly-A tail at the other end to protect the mRNA from degradation and signal for its export out of the nucleus.
Decapping involves the enzymatic removal of the protective 5' cap, while deadenylation pertains to the shortening of the poly-A tail. Both deadenylation and decapping mark the mRNA for degradation and are part of the mechanism that controls the lifespan of an mRNA molecule in the cytoplasm. These processes are vital for the regulation of gene expression and ensure that proteins are not overproduced in the cell.