You Have Identified a 50 Nucleotide Deletion That Is Not

Multiple Choice

You have identified a 50 nucleotide deletion that is not within an open reading frame in an otherwise wild-type prokaryotic genome.You identify five mRNAs that are not translated in these mutant bacteria; the five mRNAs are transcribed from five different genes located far from the deletion.Select the most likely explanation for the effect of this deletion.

A) The deletion is within an antisense RNA that regulates translation of all five genes.
B) The deletion prevents expression of a small RNA that regulates translation of all five genes.
C) The deletion removes an aptamer in an RNA leader sequence.
D) The deletion removes an effector molecule that regulates transcription.