trans-splicing

Trans-splicing is a natural biological process where segments of RNA from different precursor molecules are joined together to form a single, mature messenger RNA (mRNA). Unlike typical splicing, which removes sections within one RNA molecule, trans-splicing combines parts from separate RNA transcripts. This process allows cells to generate diverse proteins from a limited set of genes, increasing genetic complexity. It's especially common in certain organisms like trypanosomes and some invertebrates, playing a crucial role in gene regulation and protein diversity.