Question

In an experimental situation, a student researcher inserts an mRNA molecule into a eukaryotic cell after he has removed its 5' cap and poly-A tail. Which of the following would you expect him to find?A. The molecule is digested by restriction enzymes in the nucleus.B. The molecule attaches to a ribosome and is translated, but more slowly.C. The cell recognizes the absence of the tail and polyadenylates the mRNA.D. The molecule is digested by exonucleases since it is no longer protected at the 5' end.E. The mRNA could not exit the nucleus to be transcribed.

Answer 1

The molecule is digested by exonucleases since it is no longer protected at the 5' end.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 5′ cap protects the nascent mRNA from degradation and assists in ribosome binding during translation. If the 5' cap and poly A tail is removed, the mRNA transcript is exposed to the action of exonucleases.