Neoplasia: microRNA in CLL: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Neoplasia: microRNA in CLL

Sample item

In many cases of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia there is deletion of 13q14, the site of the genes for miR-15a and miR-16-1, which normally act on the transcript of an anti-apoptotic gene. Which protein is therefore overexpressed?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. BCL2

miR-15a and miR-16-1 silence BCL2 mRNA. Their loss through 13q14 deletion raises BCL2, so leukaemic lymphocytes resist apoptosis and accumulate. This shows that microRNAs can act as tumour suppressors.

Option by option

  • A. BCL2 (correct)

    Correct. Loss of the microRNAs releases BCL2 from translational repression.

  • B. BAX

    BAX is pro-apoptotic and would be unaffected in this way.

  • C. Caspase-3

    Caspase-3 is an executioner caspase that promotes apoptosis.

  • D. p53

    p53 is not the target of miR-15a/16-1 and loss of 13q14 does not raise it.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, BCL2. miR-15a and miR-16-1 silence BCL2 mRNA.

Why is "BAX" not the answer?

BAX is pro-apoptotic and would be unaffected in this way.

Why is "Caspase-3" not the answer?

Caspase-3 is an executioner caspase that promotes apoptosis.

Why is "p53" not the answer?

p53 is not the target of miR-15a/16-1 and loss of 13q14 does not raise it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: microRNA in CLL in Pathology. Their loss through 13q14 deletion raises BCL2, so leukaemic lymphocytes resist apoptosis and accumulate. This shows that microRNAs can act as tumour suppressors.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neoplasia: microRNA in CLL?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.