Capping: modifies 5' end of mRNA via guanine nucleotide; aids in protection and stabilization
Polyadenylation: modifies 3' end of mRNA via polyAs
Splicing: reaction catalyzed by large complex
Self-splicing: process in which RNAs splice themselves without protein involvement
Alternative splicing: Generation of multiple proteins from one gene; some mature mRNAs may only contain subset of exons; allow different coding regions and domains
Spliceosomes: enzymatic complex consists of many RNAs and over 50 proteins