Unlocking the Secrets of Cistrons: The Non-Coding RNA Molecules that Regulate Gene Expression

Cistrons are a type of non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in regulating gene expression. They are derived from the introns, which are the regions within genes that are removed during the process of splicing to produce mature RNA molecules.

Cistrons can be produced through a variety of mechanisms, including the back-splicing of pre-mRNA, the use of alternative splice sites, and the inclusion of cryptic exons. These mechanisms allow for the production of multiple cistrons from a single gene, each with its own unique sequence and function.

Cistrons have been implicated in a wide range of biological processes, including transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modification, and RNA processing. They can also act as decoys for miRNAs, binding to these small RNAs and preventing them from interacting with their target mRNAs.

One of the most well-known examples of cistrons is the microRNA (miRNA) pathway, in which miRNAs are derived from the splicing of longer precursor molecules. These precursors are processed by the enzyme Dicer, which cleaves the precursor at specific sites to produce mature miRNAs. The mature miRNAs then bind to target mRNAs and regulate their expression.

Overall, cistrons are an important class of non-coding RNA molecules that play a complex and multifaceted role in the regulation of gene expression. Further research into the mechanisms and functions of cistrons is likely to provide valuable insights into the workings of the cell and the development of new therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases.