Which would least prevent bacterial synthesis of a protein?

[zut212]

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Which of the following procedures would be LEAST likely to prevent bacterial synthesis of the superantigen protein?
a. Adding tRNA nucleotide that can bind to the mRNA and bacterial ribosomes.
b. Adding a specific complementary nucleic acid sequence that can bind to mRNA transcribed from the superantigen gene.

ANS. A. I eliminated the other two options which obviously were NOT the answer. I also think that B could be the answer. By adding a specific complementary nucleic acid sequence that can bind mRNA transcribed from the superantigen gene, I would think that this PROMOTE the expression of that gene in the first place. Therefore, it's least likely to prevent bacterial synthesis of the protein. Please help me here.

 

[TieuBachHo]

Well, the gene is expressed or transcribed into mRNA but it will not be translated into the superantigen protein, right? The reason is due to the fact that the specific complementary nucleic acid sequence will block that from happening by binding to transcribed mRNA. Therefore, it will prevent the synthesis of the superantigen protein (This is NOT the answer).

I am not certain about answer (a) b/c although the protein is made but unless it's unaffected otherwise is non-functional/mutated. I mean the synthesis of that SPECIFIC superantigen protein is questionable, right? However, I think this is more likely an answer out of the two.

 

[Longshanks]

Which of the following procedures would be LEAST likely to prevent bacterial synthesis of the superantigen protein?
a. Adding tRNA nucleotide that can bind to the mRNA and bacterial ribosomes.
b. Adding a specific complementary nucleic acid sequence that can bind to mRNA transcribed from the superantigen gene.

ANS. A. I eliminated the other two options which obviously were NOT the answer. I also think that B could be the answer. By adding a specific complementary nucleic acid sequence that can bind mRNA transcribed from the superantigen gene, I would think that this PROMOTE the expression of that gene in the first place. Therefore, it's least likely to prevent bacterial synthesis of the protein. Please help me here.

No, binding "a specific complementary nucleic acid sequence" to mRNA would prevent translation, at least for the time being, by keeping mRNA bound to it. Adding tRNAs will just give more resources for translation to proceed. Adding tRNAs absolutely promote translation and would not prevent the 'super antigen' from being produced. tRNAs will only bind to their corresponding codons (give or take with the "wobble-base pair"), so you're essentially speeding up the translation process by bringing amino acids to the mRNA and ribosome.

They are essentially describing siRNA or miRNA in a very basic, broad way in that answer prompt.

 

[zut212]

I love you both. You helped open my eyes. Maybe you should go into opthamology!

 

[Phantastic]

No, binding "a specific complementary nucleic acid sequence" to mRNA would prevent translation, at least for the time being, by keeping mRNA bound to it. Adding tRNAs will just give more resources for translation to proceed. Adding tRNAs absolutely promote translation and would not prevent the 'super antigen' from being produced. tRNAs will only bind to their corresponding codons (give or take with the "wobble-base pair"), so you're essentially speeding up the translation process by bringing amino acids to the mRNA and ribosome.

They are essentially describing siRNA or miRNA in a very basic, broad way in that answer prompt.

This is exactly how I interpreted the answers when I read them. Good call on the siRNA reference.