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CAIE A-Level Biology 6.2.5 Post-Transcriptional Modification

Practise distinguishing primary transcript from mature mRNA, removing introns and joining exons, then explaining protective or processing roles of the 5′ cap and poly(A) tail.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Biology 9700
Level
AS

Exam points

  • identify the primary RNA transcript as containing both introns and exons
  • describe splicing as removal of non-coding introns followed by joining of exons
  • explain protective or processing roles of the 5′ cap and 3′ poly(A) tail

6.2.5—Post-transcriptional modification question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Smooth muscle is a tissue composed of smooth muscle cells. The cells contain cytoplasm packed with proteins that are involved in contraction and relaxation.

Caldesmon is a large protein with a number of binding sites to attach to other proteins.

Caldesmon exists in two different forms, H-caldesmon and L-caldesmon.
H-caldesmon helps to regulate contraction and relaxation in smooth muscle cells.
L -caldesmon is found in some non-muscle cells, where it also acts as a regulatory protein.
- Caldesmon is coded for by a gene known as CALD1.
- CALD1 has 17 exons.
- The primary structure of H-caldesmon has a repeating sequence in the middle of the amino acid chain that is not present in L-caldesmon.

Researchers now know that the two different forms of caldesmon are the result of events occurring directly after transcription of DNA. Changes occur to the primary transcript that is formed by DNA transcription.

Suggest how the smooth muscle cells and non-muscle cells can produce different forms of caldesmon from the same primary transcript.

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