Transcription and Translation · USMLE Step 1

Which of the following is NOT a common feature of eukaryotic mRNA but present in bacterial mRNA?

  1. 5' 7-methylguanosine cap structure
  2. 3' poly-adenosine (poly-A) tail
  3. Polycistronic coding sequences
  4. Introns (intervening sequences)
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Correct answer: Polycistronic coding sequences

Polycistronic transcripts (multiple proteins from one mRNA) are typical of bacterial mRNA; most eukaryotic mRNAs are monocistronic. So polycistronic coding is not a feature of eukaryotic mRNA.

Difficulty: Medium Question 14 of 22

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