Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/14/2005

Question
Hi, Durnerin here AGAIN!  
I'm pretty confused on the tata box and transcription.

My question:
If a point mutation chaned the tata box, where would transcription start?
and
If a point mutation changed the stop codon, where would transcription end?

Answer
Hi Durnerin:
 I am sorry but I have not been keeping up with the constant changes in molecular genetics.  The tata box is something new to me and unfortunetely I do not have time now to research it.
 My guess however based upon your question (and it is only a guess) is that since we are looking at an initiator that starts the reaction and if a mutation occured the transcription simply would not start.
 As to changing the stop codon:  My guess is that there would be an end product inhibition feedback that would stop everything.
 Sorry I could not be more precise.