Chapter 15, Problem 25P

One mechanism by which antisense RNAs act as negative regulators of gene expression is by base pairing with the ribosome binding site on the sense mRNA to block translation. In a second, alternative mechanism, the act of transcribing an antisense RNA can somehow prevent RNA polymerase from recognizing the sense promoter for the same gene. Design an experimental approach that would enable you to distinguish between these two modes of action at a specific gene. (Hint: What would be the outcome in each case if high levels of the antisense RNA were transcribed from a gene on a plasmid?)