You are studying a gene for protein X expressed in bacteria. You have subjected

Question

You are studying a gene for protein X expressed in bacteria. You have subjected the bacteria to an agent that generates point mutations and isolated a number of mutant strains with reduced protein X function. After sequencing the gene for protein X in these mutants, you find that most mutations occur at a few locations (they are not randomly distributed across the gene). What is special about these locations? There is one general answer and two specific answers. You will earn partial credit for the general answer and full credit for either specific answer.

Explanation / Answer

General answer

Silent mutation - It does not change the aminoacid . But affects the rate of protein synthesis and post translational modification.

Specific answer

1. Mutation may happen outside the coding sequence like promoter, enhancer, ribosome binding site. If the mutation happens in these region, then protein synthesis will be hindered leading to improper protein synthesis.

2. Loss of function - mutation which impacts protein function

hypomorph : reduction of protein's ability to work.

Loss-of-function usually means

- less of a protein is made or

- some function of the protein has been compromised.

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