Isoformi

Isoformi is a term used in biology to describe different forms of a protein or nucleic acid molecule that arise from the same gene. These variations can occur through several mechanisms, most commonly alternative splicing of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts. In alternative splicing, different combinations of exons from a single gene can be included or excluded in the mature mRNA, leading to the production of distinct protein isoforms. Other mechanisms include the use of alternative promoters, alternative polyadenylation sites, or post-translational modifications.

These isoforms can have different biological functions, cellular locations, or binding affinities compared to the canonical or reference form. For example, one isoform might be secreted from the cell while another remains intracellular. The existence of isoforms allows for a greater diversity of protein functions to be generated from a limited number of genes, contributing to the complexity of biological systems. Studying isoforms is crucial for understanding gene expression, protein function, and the development of diseases, as aberrant isoform expression can be associated with various pathological conditions. The term "isoformi" is less commonly used in English scientific literature, with "isoform" being the standard term.