Introns are sections of DNA that don't code for any instructions or proteins: non-coding sections. They can be found in pre-messanger RNA as well as the parts that code for
proteins (exons). Pre-mRNA goes through a modification process (splicing) to
produce the mRNA of only exons. The question now posed to scientists is: why do
introns exist and what is their purpose? The questions are yet to be definitely
answered, so it leaves plenty room for research for those of you who may be interested. The most popular belief is
that they’re caused by evolution. Introns in modern genetic material could have
been a gene in ancestral genetic material that proved not to be strong enough
to last and was weaned out by natural selection. Or, the introns exist to leave
room for new genes to be created. However, there have been recent breakthroughs in
understanding them more; in a study conducted at Indiana University Bloomington
and University of New Hampshire, there showed considerable proof to point toward
the theory of “hot spots”, these are loci on the complete genetic material
where introns seem to be likely. This contradicts prior belief as it would
point towards introns being actually quite common instead of a rarity.
Author: Grace Ronnie
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