What process allows different proteins to be produced from the same gene?

The production of different proteins from the same gene is achieved through alternative splicing. This process occurs during the post-transcriptional modification of messenger RNA (mRNA). After a gene is transcribed into pre-mRNA, the introns (non-coding regions) are removed, and the exons (coding regions) are joined together. What sets alternative splicing apart is that different combinations of exons can be retained or excluded from the final mRNA transcript. As a result, multiple distinct mRNA variants can emerge from a single gene, ultimately leading to the synthesis of different proteins, each with potentially unique functions or regulatory properties.

For instance, in human genes, such as those involved in development or cellular signaling, alternative splicing is a crucial mechanism that increases proteomic diversity, allowing organisms to adapt to varying cellular environments and developmental stages. This process underscores the complexity of gene regulation and highlights how the same genetic blueprint can yield various functional outputs, thereby playing a significant role in cellular differentiation and functional specialization.