Question

Previously, we learned about the MC1R gene and its role in hair color. As a natural redhead, I was curious about what mutations caused this. I found out that there were several possibilities: the MC1R gene actually has 951 coding nucleotides, so that is a large number of possibilities. TRANSCRIBE and TRANSLATE these two genes and explain what type of mutation this is! Please note, this is only a portion of the gene and does not include a start or stop codon. Your answer must include both mRNA strands and both amino acid sequences Normal hair: DNA TEMPLATE = ...5' GAT GCT GTG GTA GCG 3'... Red hair: DNA TEMPLATE = ...5' GAT GCT GTG GTA GCA 3'...

Answer 1

DNA template can be red from 3’ to 5’. Hence, first rewrite the DNA from 3’-5’ and then transcribe.

DNA TEMPLATE = ...5' GAT GCT GTG GTA GCG 3'

DNA template in 3’-5’ = 3’- GCG ATG GTG TCG TAG -5’

mRNA = 5’ – CGC UAC CAC AGC AUC -3’

Amino acids = Arg – Tyr – His – Ser - Ile

Red hair: DNA TEMPLATE = ...5' GAT GCT GTG GTA GCA 3'

DNA template in 3’-5’ = 3’- ACG ATG GTG TCG TAG -5’

mRNA = 5’ – UGC UAC CAC AGC AUC -3’

Amino acids = Cys – Tyr – His – Ser - Ile

The mutation in protein is missense mutation as a change in amino acid due to the point mutation (transition mutation)