Poly-A tail

Definition

A poly-A tail is a stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of an mRNA molecule during post-transcriptional modification. This tail plays a crucial role in stabilizing the mRNA, aiding in its export from the nucleus, and enhancing the efficiency of translation by ribosomes. The presence of the poly-A tail ensures that mRNA can be successfully translated into proteins by providing a protective buffer against degradation and facilitating interactions with the ribosomal machinery.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The poly-A tail typically consists of 50 to 250 adenine nucleotides and is added to mRNA after transcription through a process called polyadenylation.
2. This tail enhances mRNA stability by protecting it from exonucleases that degrade RNA, which is essential for ensuring proper translation.
3. The poly-A binding proteins (PABPs) bind to the poly-A tail, helping to stabilize the mRNA and regulate its translation and degradation.
4. In addition to stability, the poly-A tail plays a key role in initiating translation by facilitating the recruitment of ribosomes to the mRNA.
5. Polyadenylation can also influence the localization and lifespan of mRNA within the cell, impacting gene expression levels.

Review Questions

• How does the poly-A tail contribute to mRNA stability and translation efficiency?
  • The poly-A tail contributes to mRNA stability by protecting it from degradation by exonucleases. By extending the life of the mRNA in the cytoplasm, it allows for more time for translation. Additionally, the poly-A binding proteins that associate with the tail enhance translation efficiency by promoting ribosome attachment, ensuring that more protein can be synthesized from each mRNA molecule.
• Discuss the role of polyadenylation in gene expression regulation.
  • Polyadenylation is critical for regulating gene expression because it influences both mRNA stability and its translation into proteins. The length of the poly-A tail can affect how long an mRNA remains intact in the cell and how efficiently it is translated. Longer tails generally lead to increased stability and higher levels of translation, while shorter tails may result in rapid degradation and lower protein output, allowing cells to finely tune gene expression based on their needs.
• Evaluate how changes in poly-A tail length might impact cellular processes in response to environmental signals.
  • Changes in poly-A tail length can significantly impact cellular processes by altering gene expression in response to environmental signals. For instance, when a cell receives signals for growth or stress, it may modify the poly-A tails of specific mRNAs to either stabilize them for increased protein production or promote their degradation if they are no longer needed. This ability to adjust mRNA stability and translation allows cells to rapidly adapt to changing conditions, thereby influencing processes such as differentiation, apoptosis, or metabolic adjustments.

Related terms

mRNA:

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Ribosome: Ribosomes are cellular structures made of ribosomal RNA and proteins, responsible for translating mRNA into polypeptide chains during protein synthesis.

Transcription: Transcription is the process by which the genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA, which then undergoes several modifications before being translated into proteins.