Question

5. (2pts) a-thalassemia is a human genetic condition resulting in severe anemia because blood cells can not efficiently carry oxygen to body tissues. a-thalassemia occurs when the HBA1 gene is mutant such that no protein product is made or a non- functional protein is produced. Recently, microRNAs have been implicated in regulating expression of the HBA1 gene. Below is microarray data showing the amount of expression of different microRNAs where each row corresponds to the different miRNA indicated on the right. The columns show levels of miRNAs in cell samples collected from patients with a-thalassemia (right) or without (left). What is the best conclusion for the data shown? unaffected a-thalassemia miRNA-1 miRNA-2 miRNA-3 miRNA-4 miRNA-5 + + + expression level C miRNA-1 activates transcription of HBA1 C miRNA-3 inhibits transcription of HBA1 C miRNA-2 activates translation of HBA1 C miRNA-5 activates translation of HBA1 o miRNA-2 inhibits translation of HBA1 C miRNA-4 inhibits translation of HBA1

Answer 1

miRNA-2 inhibits translation of HBA1 beacuse miRNA act as translational regulator and miRNA-2 is increasing in thalassemia patients .