How could an inserted gene reduce production of a softening enzyme?

How could an inserted gene reduce production of a softening enzyme?

• A. Inserts amino acids into enzyme.
• B. Increases transcription rate.
• C. Destroys DNA.
• D. Inserted gene binds to mRNA to prevent protein synthesis.

Answer: (D)

Gene expression can be down-regulated when an inserted gene produces RNA that is complementary to the target mRNA. This antisense RNA binds to the enzyme’s mRNA, forming a RNA duplex that blocks ribosome binding or triggers degradation, so the enzyme is not translated efficiently and its production drops. This fits the scenario because the goal is to lower how much enzyme is made, not to alter the enzyme’s structure or increase its production. Inserting amino acids into the enzyme wouldn’t stop its production, increasing transcription would raise production, and destroying DNA is not a controlled way to reduce expression. The antisense approach directly prevents translation and reduces the amount of the softening enzyme produced.

Gene expression can be down-regulated when an inserted gene produces RNA that is complementary to the target mRNA. This antisense RNA binds to the enzyme’s mRNA, forming a RNA duplex that blocks ribosome binding or triggers degradation, so the enzyme is not translated efficiently and its production drops.

This fits the scenario because the goal is to lower how much enzyme is made, not to alter the enzyme’s structure or increase its production. Inserting amino acids into the enzyme wouldn’t stop its production, increasing transcription would raise production, and destroying DNA is not a controlled way to reduce expression. The antisense approach directly prevents translation and reduces the amount of the softening enzyme produced.