Question

Binding of an RNA binding protein will change the stability of the RNA molecule in what way?

a) Increase stability
b) Decrease stability
c) Have no effect on stability
d) Promote translation

Answer 1

RNA-binding proteins can either increase or decrease the stability of the RNA molecule, thereby affecting its translation into a protein.

Step-by-step explanation:

Binding of an RNA-binding protein (RBP) to an RNA molecule affects the RNA's stability in a significant way. These proteins can either increase or decrease the stability of the RNA molecule. This is a critical aspect of gene expression regulation because the stability of RNA determines how long it will be available for translation into a protein. Elements like the untranslated regions (UTRs) just upstream or downstream of the coding sequence are common binding sites for RBPs. These UTRs are not part of the protein-coding sequence but play essential roles in the regulation of mRNA; they influence its localization, stability, and the translation process.