Question 1

AZA is a compound that inhibits DNA methylation. What would you expect to happen to gene expression in cancer cells treated with AZA?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression would increase because methylation normally silences genes.

Question 2

TSA inhibits histone deacetylase. What is the most likely effect on chromatin structure and transcription?

Accepted Answer

Chromatin becomes less condensed and transcription increases.

Question 3

A researcher treats cancer cells with both AZA and TSA. What is the most likely combined effect on gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression will increase due to decreased methylation and increased acetylation.

Question 4

Methylation of the MGMT promoter is associated with improved response to temozolomide in glioblastoma patients. What is the most likely reason for this?

Accepted Answer

Methylation silences MGMT expression, making tumor cells more sensitive to temozolomide.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the clinical implication of MGMT promoter methylation in glioblastoma?

Accepted Answer

Patients with methylated MGMT promoters have improved survival when treated with temozolomide.

Question 6

A researcher uses a synthetic miRNA inhibitor to prevent the binding of miRNAs to the target mRNA in immune cells. What is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

Protein levels of the target gene will increase due to reduced miRNA-mediated silencing.

Question 7

Researchers are studying a gene involved in neuron development. They use a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activator. What is the most likely effect on gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression will increase due to chromatin relaxation and easier access for transcription.

Question 8

A gene involved in heart development can be spliced into two forms: Form F (fetal) and Form A (adult). In some people with heart problems, splicing stops at Form F. What is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

Heart muscle will not mature properly, leading to developmental issues.

Question 9

A researcher wants to reverse the effects of a maternal low-protein diet on offspring gene expression. Which treatment would be most effective?

Accepted Answer

Apply a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activator to increase gene expression.

Question 10

Which process is most likely to reduce production of a harmful protein without permanently changing DNA?

Accepted Answer

Post-transcriptional regulation by RNA interference (miRNA/siRNA).

Question 11

Which of the following is a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Alternative splicing.

Question 12

During gene expression, which modification is most likely to increase transcription?

Accepted Answer

Histone acetylation at the promoter region.

Question 13

A researcher finds that a transcription factor binds to a promoter region and blocks RNA polymerase binding. What is the most likely effect?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression will decrease due to blocked transcription initiation.

Question 14

Which equation best represents the relationship between gene expression and DNA methylation?

Accepted Answer

$	ext{Gene Expression} \propto \frac{1}{	ext{DNA Methylation}}$

Question 15

If a cell has high levels of histone deacetylase activity, what is the most likely effect on gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Gene expression will decrease due to condensed chromatin.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world example of post-translational regulation?

Accepted Answer

Phosphorylation of a protein to activate an enzyme.

Question 17

A scientist wants to silence a gene without altering its DNA sequence. Which method is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Increase DNA methylation at the gene's promoter.

Question 18

Which process is most likely to affect protein levels even if transcription is successful?

Accepted Answer

RNA interference (miRNA/siRNA).

Question 19

A researcher finds that offspring of mothers fed a low-protein diet have altered diabetes regulation. What is the most likely molecular explanation?

Accepted Answer

Changes in DNA methylation and histone modification affecting gene expression.

Gene Expression Regulation: Mechanisms and Applications

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