A scientist is investigating the pattern of gene expression. Messenger RNA is extracted from various tissues, electrophoresed, blotted, and probed with radiolabeled DNA containing exon 4 sequences from that gene. An x-ray film is then put over the blotting membrane, and the autoradiogram findings are presented below: Which of the following best explains the autoradiogram findings in the different tissues?

Question

A scientist is investigating the pattern of gene expression. Messenger RNA is extracted from various tissues, electrophoresed, blotted, and probed with radiolabeled DNA containing exon 4 sequences from that gene. An x-ray film is then put over the blotting membrane, and the autoradiogram findings are presented below:  Which of the following best explains the autoradiogram findings in the different tissues?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Alternative splicing is a post-transcriptional process in which the exons of a gene are rejoined in a variety of ways. This results in distinct mRNA sequences and, as a result, different protein isoforms. It is a common occurrence in eukaryotes that significantly enhances the diversification of proteins encoded by the genome.

A Scientist Is Investigating the Pattern of Gene Expression