Question

Which one of the following tRNA sequences would you expect to find in a protein suffering from MERRF syndrome?

a) 5'-GAA
b)5'-CUU
c)5'-AAG
d) 3'-GAA
e)3'-CUU

Answer 1

MERRF syndrome, associated with a mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA for lysine, would most likely involve a 5'-CUU-3' sequence that changed due to mutation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to a potential tRNA sequence involved in MERRF syndrome, a mitochondrial disorder characterized by myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibers. MERRF syndrome is often caused by a mutation in the mitochondrial DNA, specifically in the tRNA for lysine (tRNALys). A common mutation is an A-to-G transition at nucleotide position 8344 of the tRNALys gene, which would be recognized in the tRNA as a 5'-CUU-3' anticodon sequence changing to 5'-UUU-3'. Since the student is asking which tRNA sequence they would expect to find in a protein suffering from MERRF syndrome, the tRNA sequence reflecting this mutation should be considered.