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Messenger RNA decapping
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<p>The process of <a href="/facts/Messenger_RNA/oUL6qxQn">messenger RNA</a> decapping consists of <a href="/facts/Hydrolysis/JTvwIHPs">hydrolysis</a> of the <a href="/facts/Five-prime_cap/cWUeEBJ6">5' cap</a> structure on the RNA exposing a 5' monophosphate. In <a href="/facts/Eukaryote/SkwyPLMA">eukaryotes</a>, this 5' monophosphate is a substrate for the 5' <a href="/facts/Exonuclease/5RezcQvD">exonuclease</a> Xrn1 and the mRNA is quickly destroyed. There are many situations which may lead to the removal of the cap, some of which are discussed below. </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Prokaryote/oYyvaDDH">prokaryotes</a>, the initial mRNA transcript naturally possesses a 5'-triphosphate group after <a href="/facts/Bacterial_transcription/RQDnjl5S">bacterial transcription</a>; the enzyme RppH removes a <a href="/facts/Pyrophosphate/L9FPEkhF">pyrophosphate</a> molecule from the 5' end, converting the 5'-triphosphate to a 5'-monophosphate, triggering mRNA degradation by ribonucleases. </p>