Question

What is antisense technology?
A. When a piece of RNA that is complementary in sequence is used to stop expression of a specific gene
B. RNA polymerase producing DNA
C. A cell displaying a foreign antigen used for synthesis of antigens
D. Production of Soma clonal variants in tissue culture

Answer 1

As we already know that genes are short sequences of DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid packed in long strands of DNA. DNA and RNA have slight differences in their nitrogen forms. DNA lacks uracil and RNA has uracil as one of its nitrogen bases. Similarly, RNA lacks thymine and DNA has Thymine. DNA is the key factor for genetic information. RNA helps in protein translation.

Complete answer:
Option A When a piece of RNA that is complementary in sequence is used to stop expression of a specific gene: Antisense therapy or technology is an anti-gene which is used to stop the expression of a particular RNA which is a messenger RNA. It targets the messenger RNA and stops its expression.
Option A is correct.
Option B RNA polymerase producing DNA: Antisense oligonucleotides have nothing to do with RNA polymerase which acts as an enhancer and antisense is to inhibit the reaction.
Option B is not correct.
Option C A cell displaying a foreign antigen used for synthesis of antigens: Antigen and antibody reaction undergo in immunology section. It is unrelated to the antisense technology we are discussing here. Hence it is not right.
Option C is incorrect.
Option D Production of Soma clonal variants in tissue culture: Tissue culture is the phenomena of using an explant and growing the explant in suitable laboratory conditions.
Option D is also not correct.

So, Option A is the correct answer.

Note:
The antisense oligomers target a specific RNA in a specific manner. They are being used successfully in achieving the inhibition of gene expression, splicing and inactivating microRNAs. When a protein translation is done in order to stop the reaction or protein to further translate. Antisense therapy is being used on the enhancers. They block the pathway where protein is being translated and hence the mechanism stops then and there.