What is the Importance of snRNA-Protein Complexes?
snRNAs do not function alone; they form complexes with specific proteins to create small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). These snRNPs are the building blocks of the spliceosome. For example, the U1 snRNP is responsible for recognizing the 5' splice site, while the U2 snRNP binds to the branch point sequence. The coordinated action of these snRNPs ensures accurate splicing of pre-mRNA.
