In the upstream promoter of some human genes, a regulatory sequence of eight nucleotides, TGACGTCA, has been shown to regulate a number of cAMP responsive genes. Based on this knowledge, you conduct a genome search and identify 250 of these identical sequences that occur. Could you then conclude that these sequences coincide with genes that are cAMP responsive?
A) Yes, because each of those regulatory regions containing that sequence would only be found near genes.
B) Yes, because this sequence would be unlikely to occur randomly.
C) No, because this sequence, in the context of 3 billion base pairs, would occur fairly regularly and may or may not be associated with a gene.
D) No, because there must be other regulatory sequences present as well.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The occurrence of 250 instances of the TGACGTCA sequence in the human genome does not necessarily imply that all of them are associated with cAMP responsive genes. This is because the human genome is made up of approximately 3 billion base pairs, and this sequence may occur by chance. Therefore, additional evidence, such as gene expression data or experimental investigations, would be required to determine if a particular gene is cAMP responsive.

In the Upstream Promoter of Some Human Genes, a Regulatory