Question

Histone methyltransferases are a class of enzymes that methylate certain amino acid sequences in histone proteins. A research team found that transcription of gene R decreases when histone methyltransferase activity is inhibited. Which scientific claim is most consistent with these findings? *

Answer 1

Answer:

The scientific claim that is most consistent with the findings in the question given is that: histone methylation opens up chromatin at gene R, so transcription factors can bind to DNA more easily.

Explanation:

The transcription of the R gene decreases when histone methyltransferase is inhibited, this proves that histone methylation increases the transcription of the R gene.

When the gene is in the condensed state, RNA polymerase can no longer gain access to the region so as to transcribe the R gene. Thus, in order for the gene to be transcribed, the gene has to be in the open (euchromatin) state.

Histone methylation makes the gene in the euchromatin state.

Therefore, the scientific claim that is most consistent with the findings in the question given is that: histone methylation opens up chromatin at gene R, so transcription factors can bind to DNA more easily.