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

10. Transcription

RNA Modification and Processing

Genetics

10. Transcription

RNA Modification and Processing

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1:52 minutes

Problem 33a

Textbook Question

Isoginkgetin is a cell-permeable chemical isolated from the Ginkgo biloba tree that binds to and inhibits snRNPs.
What types of problems would you anticipate in cells treated with isoginkgetin?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of snRNPs (small nuclear ribonucleoproteins) in the cell. These are essential components of the spliceosome, which is responsible for removing introns from pre-mRNA during the process of RNA splicing.

Recognize that inhibiting snRNPs would disrupt the splicing process. This means that pre-mRNA would not be properly processed into mature mRNA, leading to the retention of introns in the RNA transcripts.

Consider the downstream effects of improperly spliced mRNA. Such mRNA may be degraded by the cell's quality control mechanisms, or if translated, it could produce nonfunctional or harmful proteins.

Think about the broader cellular consequences. A lack of functional proteins due to defective mRNA processing could impair essential cellular processes, potentially leading to cell death or dysfunction.

Relate this to the specific context of the problem. Cells treated with isoginkgetin would likely exhibit issues such as reduced protein synthesis, accumulation of unprocessed RNA, and possibly activation of stress or apoptotic pathways due to the disruption of normal gene expression.

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Key Concepts

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

snRNPs (small nuclear ribonucleoproteins)

snRNPs are essential components of the spliceosome, a complex responsible for the splicing of pre-mRNA in eukaryotic cells. They play a critical role in removing introns and joining exons, which is vital for producing mature mRNA. Inhibition of snRNPs can lead to improper splicing, resulting in dysfunctional proteins and potentially causing various cellular malfunctions.

mRNA splicing

mRNA splicing is the process by which introns are removed from pre-mRNA transcripts and exons are joined together to form mature mRNA. This process is crucial for gene expression, as it determines which protein variants are produced. Disruption of splicing due to isoginkgetin could lead to the production of nonfunctional or harmful proteins, affecting cell viability and function.

cellular stress responses

Cellular stress responses are mechanisms that cells activate in response to various stressors, including chemical inhibitors like isoginkgetin. These responses can include apoptosis (programmed cell death), activation of stress-related signaling pathways, and changes in gene expression. If snRNPs are inhibited, cells may experience increased stress, leading to potential cell death or dysfunction due to the accumulation of improperly processed mRNA.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

A portion of a human gene is isolated from the genome and sequenced. The corresponding segment of mRNA is isolated from the cytoplasm of human cells, and it is also sequenced. The nucleic acid strings shown here are from genomic coding strand DNA and the corresponding mRNA.

Does this intron contain normal splice-site sequences?

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Textbook Question

There is one intron in the DNA sequence shown. Locate the intron and underline the splice site sequences.

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Textbook Question

Recent observations indicate that alternative splicing is a common way for eukaryotes to expand their repertoire of gene functions. Studies indicate that approximately 50 percent of human genes exhibit alternative splicing and approximately 15 percent of disease-causing mutations involve aberrant alternative splicing. Different tissues show remarkably different frequencies of alternative splicing, with the brain accounting for approximately 18 percent of such events [Xu et al. (2002). Nucl. Acids Res. 30:3754–3766].

Why might some tissues engage in more alternative splicing than others?

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Textbook Question

Isoginkgetin is a cell-permeable chemical isolated from the Ginkgo biloba tree that binds to and inhibits snRNPs.

Would this be most problematic for E. coli cells, yeast cells, or human cells? Why?

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Textbook Question

Messenger RNA molecules are very difficult to isolate in bacteria because they are rather quickly degraded in the cell. Can you suggest a reason why this occurs? Eukaryotic mRNAs are more stable and exist longer in the cell than do bacterial mRNAs. Is this an advantage or a disadvantage for a pancreatic cell making large quantities of insulin?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of the poly(A) tail added to eukaryotic mRNA during RNA processing?

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Multiple Choice

Which process involves the removal of non-coding sections from a pre-mRNA molecule during RNA modification and processing?

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Multiple Choice

When does mRNA processing occur in eukaryotic cells?

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