Exam 21: Epigenetics
A group of scientists is studying memory in mice. They feed sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, to a group of older mice and then subject them to memory exercises. How do you predict the memory of treated mice might compare with the memory of untreated mice?
C
Describe three important features that define paramutation.
Paramutation is a phenomenon in genetics that involves the transfer of epigenetic information from one allele to another, resulting in heritable changes in gene expression. Three important features that define paramutation include:
1. Heritability: Paramutation results in heritable changes in gene expression that can be passed on to future generations. This is a key feature that distinguishes paramutation from other forms of gene regulation.
2. Epigenetic regulation: Paramutation involves the transfer of epigenetic information, such as DNA methylation or histone modifications, from one allele to another. This epigenetic modification leads to stable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself.
3. Allelic interaction: Paramutation occurs through interactions between two different alleles of the same gene. One allele, known as the paramutagenic allele, induces heritable changes in the expression of the other allele, known as the paramutable allele. This interaction between alleles is essential for the establishment and maintenance of paramutation.
These three features collectively define paramutation as a unique and heritable form of gene regulation that involves epigenetic modifications and allelic interactions. Understanding paramutation is important for unraveling the complexities of gene regulation and inheritance in genetics.
Which statement BEST described how imprinting varies over the course of development?
E
Consider a hypothetical gene in mice called the can gene. The mutant form of this gene causes skin cancer and behaves in a dominant manner. A mouse with skin cancer was studied to determine the location of the mutation in the can gene. However, when scientists sequenced both maternal and paternal copies of the gene, they could not identify any mutation in the gene. What is a possible explanation for the mouse's skin cancer?
How does DNA methylation contribute to the repression of transcription?
List three types of molecular mechanisms that alter chromatin structure and underlie many epigenetic phenotypes.
Compare the effects of the environment on the epigenetics of glucocorticoid receptor expression in mice and humans.
What effect would the deamination of 5-methylcytosine in a promoter have on the expression of that gene?
When does paternal X inactivation occur in mice? (Select all that apply.)
Which of the following is NOT affected by genomic imprinting?
Which of the following stimulates the transcription of Xist on the active X chromosome?
Which of the following statements is NOT true of DNA methylation?
Kit+Kit+ mice were crossed with Kit+Kitt mice. The embryos resulting from this cross were then injected with miRNAs specific to Kit mRNA. What phenotype will these embryos develop to have?
What do you expect would develop if you injected Dnmt3 siRNA into honeybee larvae?
A beekeeper notices that her bee population is declining rapidly. Upon further study, she notices that there are no queen bees present in her population. She suspects this is due to exposure to an environmental agent. Which of the following could be a possible mechanism for the environmental agent?
What type of enzyme would MOST likely promote increased gene expression?
Which of the following stimulates the transcription of Xist on the inactive X chromosome?
Which of the following is NOT a defining feature of paramutation?
Explain how studies in mice suggest that diet can cause epigenetic changes that are transmitted through generations.
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