Which of the following mechanisms inhibits expression of imprinted genes?
A) capping of the genes' mRNA
B) deletion of the gene's promoter region
C) dissociation of RNA pol II from the gene
D) inhibition of mRNA splicing
E) methylation of cytosine residues within the gene

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Methylation of cytosine residues within the gene is a key mechanism for inhibiting the expression of imprinted genes, as it can silence gene expression by preventing transcription factor binding or recruiting proteins that compact chromatin.  Genomic imprinting refers to a genetic phenomenon whereby there is preferential expression of a gene from only 1 of the 2 parental alleles. This phenomenon of allele-specific expression results from allele-specific epigenetic modifications such as CpG dinucleotide methylation. These modifications are referred to as epigenetic modifications (also referred to as epigenetic "marks").

Which of the Following Mechanisms Inhibits Expression of Imprinted Genes