Gln-His-Pro-Gly is the sequence of a molecule known as progenitor thyrotropin-releasing hormone (pro-TRH). If we were searching for pro-TRH genes, we would need to know what sequence of bases in DNA we should be looking for. Use the following boxes to indicate answers to parts (a)–(d).


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a. What RNA sequence could code for these four amino acids?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the mRNA codons for each amino acid in the sequence Gln-His-Pro-Gly.
2. For Gln (Glutamine), the mRNA codons are CAA and CAG.
3. For His (Histidine), the mRNA codons are CAU and CAC.
4. For Pro (Proline), the mRNA codons are CCU, CCC, CCA, and CCG.
5. For Gly (Glycine), the mRNA codons are GGU, GGC, GGA, and GGG.

Key Concepts

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA and RNA is translated into the sequence of amino acids in proteins. Each amino acid is encoded by a specific sequence of three nucleotides, known as a codon. Understanding the genetic code is essential for determining which RNA sequences correspond to specific amino acid sequences, such as Gln-His-Pro-Gly.

Transcription and Translation

Transcription is the process by which the information in a DNA sequence is copied into a complementary RNA sequence. Translation is the subsequent process where the RNA sequence is read by ribosomes to synthesize proteins. Knowledge of these processes is crucial for identifying the RNA sequence that would code for a given amino acid sequence, as it involves converting DNA to RNA and then interpreting that RNA into protein.

Amino Acid Codons

Amino acid codons are specific sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to individual amino acids. Each of the 20 standard amino acids is represented by one or more codons. For the amino acids Gln (Glutamine), His (Histidine), Pro (Proline), and Gly (Glycine), knowing their respective codons is necessary to derive the RNA sequence that would code for the pro-TRH molecule.