hnRNP serves a variety of processes in the cell, some of which include:
# Preventing the folding of pre-mRNA into secondary structures that may inhibit its interactions with other proteins.
# Possible association with the splicing apparatus.
# Transport of mRNA out of the nucleus.
The association of a pre-mRNA molecule with a hnRNP particle prevents formation of short secondary structures dependent on base pairing of complementary regions, thereby making the pre-mRNA accessible for interactions with other proteins.