Final answer:
mRNA processing is the post-transcriptional modification of pre-mRNA, where introns are removed and exons are spliced together to form mature mRNA, with splicing performed by spliceosomes. Any errors in splicing can result in non-functional proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introns, Exons, and Splicing
mRNA processing involves the conversion of pre-mRNA transcripts into mature mRNA molecules, which can be translated into proteins. During this process, non-coding sequences known as introns are removed from pre-mRNA. The remaining coding sequences, or exons, are spliced together by a complex of proteins and RNA molecules called spliceosomes. This precise process is required for the creation of functional proteins.
Notably, errors in splicing that lead to shifts in the reading frame can result in dysfunctional proteins. In addition to splicing, other processing steps include 5' capping and polyadenylation.