If a regulatory gene that produced microRNAs had a mutation, the resulting microRNA would
A) remain the same if the mutation was a nonsense mutation.
B) show lower efficacy if the mutation was a missense mutation that was not removed during post-translational processing.
C) show the same efficacy if the mutation was a missense mutation, but was removed during post-transcriptional processing.
D) remain the same if the mutation was a nonsense mutation and show the same efficacy if the mutation was a missense mutation, but was removed during post-transcriptional processing.
E) show lower efficacy if the mutation was a missense mutation that was not removed during post-translational processing and show the same efficacy if the mutation was a missense mutation, but was removed during post-transcriptional processing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

MicroRNAs are produced through transcription and processing of RNA transcripts, not through translation. Therefore, post-translational processing is not relevant to their efficacy. A missense mutation that alters the microRNA sequence could reduce its efficacy unless the mutation is corrected or removed during post-transcriptional processing, in which case the microRNA could retain its original efficacy.

If a Regulatory Gene That Produced MicroRNAs Had a Mutation