Reactome | mRNA 3'-end processing

mRNA 3'-end processing

Stable Identifier

R-HSA-72187

Type

Pathway

Species

Homo sapiens

Compartment

nucleoplasm

ReviewStatus

5/5

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The 3' ends of eukaryotic mRNAs are generated by posttranscriptional processing of an extended primary transcript. For almost all RNAs, 3'-end processing consists of two steps: (i) the mRNA is first cleaved at a particular phosphodiester bond downstream of the coding sequence, (ii) the upstream fragment then receives a poly(A) tail of approximately 250 adenylate residues, whereas the downstream fragment is degraded. The two partial reactions are coupled so that reaction intermediates are usually undetectable. While 3' processing can be studied as an isolated event in vitro, it appears to be connected to transcription, splicing, and transcription termination in vivo.

The only known exception to the rule of cleavage followed by polyadenylation are the major histone mRNAs, which are cleaved but not polyadenylated.

Literature References

PubMed ID	Title	Journal	Year
10371034	3'-End processing of pre-mRNA in eukaryotes. Rüegsegger, U, Wahle, E	FEMS Microbiol Rev	1999
2408761	Accurate cleavage and polyadenylation of exogenous RNA substrate. Moore, CL, Sharp, PA	Cell	1985
10357856	Formation of mRNA 3' ends in eukaryotes: mechanism, regulation, and interrelationships with other steps in mRNA synthesis. Hyman, L, Zhao, J, Moore, C	Microbiol Mol Biol Rev	1999
11909521	Integrating mRNA processing with transcription. Furger, A, Dye, MJ, Proudfoot, NJ	Cell	2002