α-Amanitin inhibits transcription by binding inside an RNA polymerase to a region other than the active site that catalyzes addition of a nucleotide to the RNA chain. Based on the model of RNA polymerase shown in Figure 17.3, predict how the toxin might function to inhibit transcription.

Video transcript

Hello everyone. And in today's video we have the following problem. So which of the following statements about alpha are mandating a toxin that inhibits transcription by binding to RNA polymerase is incorrect. And please keep in mind the fact that we're looking for the incorrect statement among our answer choices as we solve the problem. So let's begin by answer choice B. It is a toxic compound while we are told that alpha emanating is a toxin. So it is indeed a toxic compound. And we're going to cancel it out because it is that a correct statement? And we're looking for the incorrect one. Then we have answer choice C. It is obtained from the mushroom amanita. Follow It is. And as we can see here, the names match pretty well. So we can assume that this is a true statement as well and can sort it out. So let's move on to answer choice D. It prevents nucleotide incorporations and thus RNA synthesis. Well this nucleotide incorporation is going to be RNA transcription where new new nucleotides are added to the growing M RNA strength. So this is going to inhibit the process of RNA synthesis. Indeed, so we're going to cancel this out as well because this is the mechanism by which inhibits the creation of RNA or use the transcription via RNA pol. And this all leaves us with answer choice A. It has low specificity and affinity for RNA polymerase. Well this is incorrect because since this is a toxin that targets RNA polymerase is going to have high specificity and affinity for RNA polymerase. Otherwise it wouldn't be able to target and inhibit it. So this is why it's answer choice is the incorrect one and answer choices. And we're going to highlight it as being the final answer to our question. I really hope this video helped you, and I hope to see you on the next one.