A hypothetical enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde (a byproduct

Question

A hypothetical enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde (a byproduct of metabolization of alcohol). The active site is on the outside of the protein. The scaffolding holding the active site towards the surface suffers a mutation, changing a hydrophilic Tyrosine to hydrophobic Tryptophan. What will happen to the protein?

Fun fact - a mutation in the actual enzyme responsible for breakdown of acetaldehyde (alcohol dehydrogenase) is what results in the "Asian Flush" reaction

a)The active site will lose its function due to a change in affinity for its ligand.

b)The active site is still functional, however will be inaccessible to the ligand due to a change in tertiary structure.

c)The enzyme will have no change in functionality.

d)The mutation will cause spontaneous denaturation

Explanation / Answer

Hi
The mutation fof Tyrosine to tryptophan has occured in the scaffold which holds the active site. This mutation adds the hydrophobic amino acids bending the scaffold inward. This cause distortion of active site and it becomes less accessible to its substrate, alcohol. Option B seems to be right answer.

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