Figure 1.

Schematic representation of alternative mRNA splicing.

The gene itself is embedded within genomic DNA containing mRNA-encoding exons dispersed by intervening introns that are not transcribed. The final excision of introns and joining of exon donor/acceptor sites in the pre-mRNA ultimately define the protein isoform that is translated as well as its function. The alterations made during splicing are determined by signaling events that are not yet clearly understood. An alternatively spliced transcript may encode a protein that is missing a specific functional domain thereby altering its activity. Reproduced and modified with permission of ExonHit Therapeutics, Inc.