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Ch. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its Applications
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksSanders 3rd EditionCh. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its ApplicationsProblem 5c
Chapter 15, Problem 5c

Using the genomic libraries, you wish to clone the human gene encoding myostatin, which is expressed only in muscle cells.
How frequently will a clone representing myostatin be found in the cDNA library made from muscle?

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Understand the concept of a cDNA library: A cDNA library is created by reverse transcribing mRNA from a specific tissue or cell type into complementary DNA (cDNA). This library represents the genes actively expressed in that tissue or cell type.
Identify the tissue source: Since myostatin is expressed only in muscle cells, the cDNA library must be made from mRNA extracted from muscle tissue. This ensures that the library contains cDNA corresponding to myostatin.
Determine the abundance of myostatin mRNA: The frequency of finding a clone representing myostatin in the cDNA library depends on how abundant the myostatin mRNA is in muscle cells relative to other mRNAs. This can be estimated by analyzing gene expression levels in muscle tissue.
Calculate the proportion of myostatin cDNA: Divide the number of myostatin mRNA molecules by the total number of mRNA molecules in muscle cells. This gives the proportion of myostatin cDNA in the library.
Estimate the frequency of finding a clone: Multiply the proportion of myostatin cDNA by the total number of clones in the cDNA library. This provides the expected frequency of finding a clone representing myostatin.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

cDNA Library

A cDNA library is a collection of complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences synthesized from messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts. It represents the expressed genes in a specific tissue or cell type, allowing researchers to study gene expression. In this context, a cDNA library made from muscle cells would contain clones of genes that are actively expressed in muscle tissue, including myostatin.
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Methods for Analyzing DNA and RNA

Gene Cloning

Gene cloning is the process of creating copies of a specific gene or DNA sequence. This involves isolating the gene of interest, inserting it into a vector (like a plasmid), and introducing it into host cells for replication. Cloning the myostatin gene from the cDNA library allows researchers to study its function and regulation in muscle cells.
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Expression Frequency

Expression frequency refers to how often a particular gene is expressed in a given tissue or cell type. In the context of the cDNA library from muscle cells, the frequency of myostatin clones will depend on its expression level in those cells. If myostatin is highly expressed, it is more likely to be found frequently in the library, while low expression would result in fewer clones.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Explain the meaning of 'identity by descent' in the context of identifying genealogical relationship between individuals. In these analyses, why are segments of chromosomes (haplotypes) rather than individual STRs used to identify genetic relationships?

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Textbook Question

Using the genomic libraries, you wish to clone the human gene encoding myostatin, which is expressed only in muscle cells.

Assuming the human genome is 3x10⁹ bp and that the average insert size in the genomic libraries is 100 kb, how frequently will a clone representing myostatin be found in the genomic library made from muscle?

Textbook Question

Using the genomic libraries, you wish to clone the human gene encoding myostatin, which is expressed only in muscle cells.

How frequently will a clone representing myostatin be found in the genomic library made from brain?

Textbook Question

Using the genomic libraries, you wish to clone the human gene encoding myostatin, which is expressed only in muscle cells.

How frequently will a clone representing myostatin be found in the cDNA library made from brain?

Textbook Question

The human genome is 3×10⁹ bp. You wish to design a primer to amplify a specific gene in the genome. In general, what length of oligonucleotide would be sufficient to amplify a single unique sequence? To simplify your calculation, assume that all bases occur with an equal frequency.

Textbook Question

A victim of murder is found to have scrapings containing skin cells under several of her fingernails. Genetic analysis confirms that the DNA isolated from these cells came from the same individual and does not match the DNA of the victim. The results shown below are for six CODIS STR markers from the crime scene DNA (from under the victim's fingernails and presumed to be the murderer's), and from three suspects (A, B, and C) who have been detained for questioning about the murder. Is there a failure to exclude any of the suspects? Explain.