Question

An mRNA molecule has a sequence 5'- CAGAUCUAAUGCUUAUCGGAU-3'. When translated in a laboratory setting in which translation can be initiated anywhere along the molecule, how many reading frames are possible?

Answer 1

Answer:

Three reading frames

Explanation:

Translation of mRNA always happen in one direction from the 5' end to the 3' end of the RNA strand.

Reading frame refers to the grouping of three consecutive bases to form a codon that can constitute an amino acid.

There are six possible reading frames in any nucleotide sequence.

Three from the 3' to the 5' end and three possible reading frames from the 5' to the 3' end.

As mentioned earlier, translation in mRNA happens in one direction therefore the three possible reading frames are;

1. 5'- C AGA UCU AAU GCU UAU CGG AU-3'.
2. 5'- CA GAU CUA AUG CUU AUC GGA U-3'.
3. 5'- CAG AUC UAA UGC UUA UCG GAU-3'.