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Ch. 17+18 - Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes

Chapter 17, Problem 18

How are mRNAs stored within the cell in a translationally inactive state, and how can their translation be stimulated?

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Hey everyone. So get our next question. It says, what function does the five prime cap structure serve in M. RNA storage? Let's think about the functions of that five prime cap specifically in the context of M. RNA structure. Um Well the first thing we kind of comes always to mind is that it stabilizes the M R N. A. M M R N. A. As we know that's a molecule that is not very sturdy and the five prime cap helps prevent it from being worn down over time. But it also has a very important rules in this M. R. And a storage where it recruits proteins. So the other roles in M. RNA storage it serves are that it recruits proteins including transformation initiation factors and it's crucial for stability as we mentioned processing and transportation. So with that in mind let's look at our answer choices. Choice A says it prevents the degradation of M. R. N. A. Well this is true. Um but it's kind of a very narrow aspect of what that five crime cap structure does in M. RNA storage. So I'm going to mark it as not being wrong but not going to pick it as my answer yet. Choice B says it binds to the ribosomes leading to translation. Well this is not correct. It does recruit transformation initiation factors but it doesn't bind to the ribosome itself. Which is why that's not our answer choice C says it recruits proteins that bind to the M. R. N. A. And that is true and that's going to be our answer because that's kind of behind all its multiplicity of functions. So it recruits these proteins that bind the M. R. N. A. Including transformation initiation factors and then those various things involved in processing of the M. RNA, transportation of the M. RNA to the cytoplasm and as well as just hostility. So we'll go ahead and cross out choice A since that's just kind of a small part of what the cap structure does. So that's not an answer. And finally, Choice D. It plays no part in the storage of M. R. And S. Well, that is definitely false, since it does play that very encouraging part are very important part. So, again, what function does the five prime cap structure servin em RNA storage? I see it recruits proteins that bind the M. R N. A. See you in the next video.