The Little Amount of Sigma H That is Made at 30°C

Question

The little amount of sigma H that is made at 30°C is ________ by the DnaK/GrpE/DnaJ chaperones.
A) enhanced
B) activated
C) degraded
D) protected
E) folded

Accepted Answer

The sentence suggests that the little amount of sigma H made at 30°C is not sufficient and needs to be increased. However, the chaperones DnaK/GrpE/DnaJ "degrade" the sigma H protein rather than enhance or activate it. Therefore, Choice C is the best answer. The chaperones can also "protect" the sigma H protein from degrading or misfolding, but this does not increase the amount of sigma H. Additionally, "folding" is not an appropriate term as sigma H is already a folded protein that needs to be degraded and re-synthesized for proper functioning.