Final answer:
Constitutive alternative splicing occurs consistently in all cells, while regulated alternative splicing is controlled by cellular factors and occurs variably, depending on the cell's needs. Both forms of splicing are involved in producing different proteins from a single gene but are distinguishable by their consistency and triggers for regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between constitutive and regulated alternative splicing refers to the variability in the splicing process of pre-mRNA that leads to multiple protein products from a single gene. Constitutive alternative splicing occurs consistently and affects how introns and exons are assembled across all cell types, contributing to the basic functions within cells. In contrast, regulated alternative splicing is controlled by the cell and can occur in response to various factors, such as developmental stage or environmental changes, to produce different protein products that meet specific cellular needs at a particular time.
Alternative RNA splicing is a common gene regulation mechanism in eukaryotes, with estimates suggesting that up to 70 percent of human genes express multiple proteins through this process. The original 5'-3' order of the exons is always conserved in both types of splicing processes. The regulation for alternative splicing is usually performed by various proteins or compounds acting as either stimulatory (positive regulation) or repressive (negative regulation) modulators.