Death cap mushrooms produce a substance called -amanitin.α-amanitin efficiently blocks synthesis of mRNA,but not of tRNA or rRNA in eukaryotic organisms.How is that possible?
A)α-amanitin efficiently interferes with the action of RNA polymerase I,but not RNA polymerase II or III.
B)α-amanitin efficiently interferes with RNA polymerase III,but not RNA polymerase I and II.
C)α-amanitin efficiently blocks the action of one or more basic transcription factors.
D)α-amanitin efficiently interferes with the action of RNA polymerase II,but not RNA polymerase I or III.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

α-amanitin efficiently interferes with the action of RNA polymerase II, but not RNA polymerase I or III. RNA polymerase II is responsible for the transcription of mRNA, while RNA polymerase I transcribes rRNA and RNA polymerase III transcribes tRNA. Therefore, blocking the action of RNA polymerase II with α-amanitin would block the synthesis of mRNA, but not affect the synthesis of tRNA or rRNA.

Death Cap Mushrooms Produce a Substance Called -Amanitin