Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 15: Problem 20

What is the potential consequence of the insertion of a transposon with its own termination and polyadenylation signals into an intronic region?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The insertion of a transposon with its own termination and polyadenylation signals into an intronic region may lead to premature termination of transcription, incomplete mRNA transcripts, altered splicing or deregulation of gene expression. These disruptions can severely impact protein function and potentially result in loss-of-function mutations, altered protein activity, or the generation of novel or nonfunctional protein isoforms, which can have significant effects on cellular processes and may contribute to the development of various disorders or diseases.

Step by step solution

01

Define transposons

Transposons are DNA sequences that have the ability to move from one location to another within a genome. They are also called jumping genes. Transposons can cause mutations and sometimes give rise to new genes or change the expression of existing ones.
02

Understand introns, exons, and gene expression

Introns are non-coding regions of a gene that are transcribed into precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) but are removed during the process of splicing to produce mature mRNA. Exons, on the other hand, are coding regions of the gene that are retained in the mature mRNA and are eventually translated into protein. The proper regulation of gene expression depends on the correct sequence and organization of introns and exons within a gene, as well as factors such as transcription initiation, splicing, and termination signals.
03

Define termination and polyadenylation signals

Termination signals are DNA sequences that tell RNA polymerase to stop transcribing a gene during transcription. Following transcription termination, a polyadenylation signal sequence triggers the addition of a poly(A) tail to the newly produced mRNA, which plays a crucial role in stability, nuclear export, and translation efficiency of mature mRNA.
04

Explain the consequence of transposon insertion in an intronic region

The insertion of a transposon with its own termination and polyadenylation signals into an intronic region can have several consequences. One possible outcome is that transcription of the gene can be prematurely terminated at the transposon's termination signal, leading to an incomplete mRNA transcript that codes for a truncated protein or is subjected to nonsense-mediated decay. Furthermore, polyadenylation at the transposon's polyadenylation signal may result in an mRNA with an incomplete coding region. Ultimately, the presence of the transposon with these signals within an intronic region may disrupt normal gene function and regulation.
05

Potential consequences on gene expression and protein function

In summary, the insertion of a transposon with its own termination and polyadenylation signals into an intronic region may lead to premature termination of transcription, incomplete mRNA transcripts, altered splicing or deregulation of gene expression. These disruptions may severely impact protein function and potentially result in loss-of-function mutations, altered protein activity, or the generation of novel or nonfunctional protein isoforms. Consequently, this can have significant effects on cellular processes and may contribute to the development of various disorders or diseases.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

In this chapter, we focused on how gene mutations arise and how cells repair DNA damage. At the same time, we found opportunities to consider the methods and reasoning by which much of this information was acquired. From the explanations given in the chapter, (a) How do we know that mutations occur spontaneously? (b) How do we know that certain chemicals and wavelengths of radiation induce mutations in DNA? (c) How do we know that DNA repair mechanisms detect and correct the majority of spontaneous and induced mutations?

Mutations in the \(I L 2 R G\) gene cause approximately 30 percent of severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID) cases. These mutations result in alterations to a protein component of cytokine receptors that are essential for proper development of the immune system. The \(I L 2 R G\) gene is composed of eight exons and contains upstream and downstream sequences that are necessary for proper transcription and translation. Below are some of the mutations observed. For each, explain its likely influence on the \(I L 2 R G\) gene product (assume its length to be 375 amino acids). (a) Nonsense mutation in coding regions (b) Insertion in Exon 1 , causing frameshift (c) Insertion in Exon \(7,\) causing frameshift (d) Missense mutation (e) Deletion in Exon 2 , causing frameshift (f) Deletion in Exon 2 , in frame (g) Large deletion covering Exons 2 and 3

How would you expect the misincorporation of bases by a DNA polymerase to change if the relative ratios of the dNTPs were \(A=T=G\) but a five-fold excess of \(C ?\)

Why is a random mutation more likely to be deleterious than beneficial?

What genetic defects result in the disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) in humans? How do these defects create the phenotypes associated with the disorder?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Ecosystems

Read Explanation

Biology Experiments

Read Explanation

Responding to Change

Read Explanation

Control of Gene Expression

Read Explanation

Biological Processes

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free