split gene
Quick Summary
In biology, a "split gene" refers to a gene whose coding sequences, called exons, are interrupted by noncoding sequences known as introns. This structure is common in eukaryotic organisms. After a gene is transcribed into RNA, the introns are removed, and the exons are spliced together to form a mature messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule that can be translated into protein. This process, called RNA splicing, is carried out by a complex molecular machine called a spliceosome. The discovery of split genes by Richard J. Roberts and Phillip A. Sharp in the 1970s revolutionized the understanding of gene structure.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
