Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

Genetics

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

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2:24 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

Consider the CT/CGRP example of alternative splicing show. Which different types of alternative splicing patterns are represented?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of alternative splicing, which is a process by which different combinations of exons are joined together from a single pre-mRNA transcript, resulting in multiple mRNA variants and thus different protein isoforms from one gene.

Step 2: Review the CT/CGRP example in Figure 18.3 carefully, noting which exons are included or excluded in the different mRNA transcripts shown. Pay attention to any exons that are skipped, mutually exclusive, or retained.

Step 3: Identify the types of alternative splicing patterns present. Common types include exon skipping (an exon is included in one transcript but skipped in another), mutually exclusive exons (only one of two exons is included), alternative 5' splice site (different splice donor sites), alternative 3' splice site (different splice acceptor sites), and intron retention (an intron is retained in the mature mRNA).

Step 4: Match the observed splicing events in the CT/CGRP example to these categories by comparing the exon structures of the different mRNA isoforms shown in the figure.

Step 5: Summarize which specific alternative splicing patterns are represented in the CT/CGRP example based on your analysis, explaining how these patterns contribute to the diversity of the resulting proteins.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Alternative Splicing

Alternative splicing is a process during gene expression where a single pre-mRNA transcript can be spliced in multiple ways to produce different mature mRNA variants. This allows one gene to encode multiple protein isoforms, increasing proteomic diversity without increasing gene number.

Types of Alternative Splicing Patterns

There are several common patterns of alternative splicing, including exon skipping, mutually exclusive exons, alternative 5' splice sites, alternative 3' splice sites, and intron retention. Each pattern alters the mRNA sequence differently, affecting the resulting protein structure and function.

CT/CGRP Gene Example

The CT/CGRP gene is a classic example illustrating alternative splicing, where different splicing patterns produce either calcitonin (CT) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Understanding this example helps clarify how alternative splicing can regulate tissue-specific protein expression.