Question

Where does the RNA cap go? The tail?

Answer 1

Answer:

The post-transcriptional modifications in the mRNA produced as a result of the transcription in eukaryotes provide many advantages to the mRNA.

The two post-transcriptional modifications are the addition of  7-methylguanosine cap at 5' end of mRNA called capping whereas the addition of the poly(Adenyl) tail at 3' end called tailing.

The advantages of capping are:

1. Protection of nascent mRNA from the degradation.

2. Recognition by transcription factors helps in translation.

The advantages of tailing are:

1. Protection of the mRNA from enzymatic degradation in the cytosol.

2. Transcription termination

3. Export of the mRNA from the nucleus