Cancer is caused by many different types of gene mutations. Some mutations are in proto-oncogenes, which lead to overexpression of the genes, and other mutations are in tumor suppressor genes, which lead to under expression or no expression in these
genes. Which kinds of gene mutations would RNA interference (RNAi) be better at treating? Explain.
What will be an ideal response?
RNAi would be better at treating proto-oncogene mutations as RNAi will bind to overexpressed mRNA molecules and degrade them. Tumor suppressor gene mutations lead to fewer mRNA molecules, so RNAi would just make the situation worse by degrading the few tumor suppressor mRNAs that remain.
You might also like to view...
The Ames test may be used to determine if an agent is a mutagen
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Infection with Streptococcus pyogenes (bacterium that causes strep throat) may generate antibodies or T cells that react with heart muscle, which has a similar structure to the surface of S. pyogenes. These antibodies can damage heart muscle with autoimmune attacks, leading to rheumatic fever. This is an example of which of the following?
a. immunodeficiency b. delayed hypersensitivity c. autoimmune molecular mimicry d. immediate hypersensitivity
The removal of nutrients from nutrient cycling when those nutrients are converted to biomass is referred to as nutrient ________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
Soy sauce, olives, pickles, sour cream, and yogurt are produced using lactic acid formed during fermentation.
a. true b. false