Hi,

If a gene for neprilysin contains 80 000 base pairs, and neprilysin contains only 749 amino acids, can anyone explain the significance of the difference between the numbers ?

Can anyone suggest a place where I can read more on this topic ?

Thanks.....

The difference between the number of base pairs in the neprilysin gene (80,000) and the number of amino acids in the neprilysin protein (749) is significant because it highlights the concept of the genetic code and the relationship between DNA and proteins.

The genetic code is the set of rules that determine how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA is translated into the sequence of amino acids in a protein. Each three-base sequence in DNA, called a codon, corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal. Therefore, the number of base pairs in a gene is not directly proportional to the number of amino acids in the resulting protein.

In the case of neprilysin, the gene contains 80,000 base pairs, but only 749 amino acids are encoded in its sequence. This discrepancy arises due to various factors such as non-coding regions within the gene, introns (non-coding regions within genes that are removed during RNA processing), and regulatory elements that control the expression of the gene.

To learn more about this topic, you can explore resources related to genetics, molecular biology, or protein synthesis. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Textbooks: Check out introductory biology or genetics textbooks that cover the topics of gene expression, protein synthesis, and the genetic code. These textbooks often provide in-depth explanations and illustrations to help you understand the concepts.

2. Scientific Articles: Search for research articles or review papers on neprilysin or related topics in molecular biology. Websites such as PubMed or Google Scholar can help you find relevant articles. These papers typically provide detailed information and the most up-to-date findings in the field.

3. Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera and edX offer free or paid online courses on genetics or molecular biology. These courses often provide video lectures, quizzes, and additional resources to enhance your understanding.

Remember to choose reputable and trustworthy sources when exploring scientific topics.