3. Alanine scanning is a technique to determine the importance of each amino aci

Question

3. Alanine scanning is a technique to determine the importance of each amino acid to the function of the protein. This technique uses site directed mutagenesis to create a series of mutants, each of which changes a single amino acid to alanine. If the mutant protein maintains comparable function to the original (wild type protein, this indicates that the mutated amino acid is not essential. However, if the function decreases or is lost, there are several possible effects. For example, certain mutations of the primary structure are so disruptive, the protein is targeted for degradation by the unfolded protein response (UPR). Because the protein is degraded immediately after production, it is not present long enough in the cell to show any function.

Explanation / Answer

In mutation, replacing side chains by either polar or differently charged or more hydrophobic atoms. More constrained groups such as branched beta carbon side chains of valine and Isoleucine cause changes in structures and conformation along with the side chain chemistry and thus creating minor changes. Alanine is a single residue for mutational scanning because that continues a beta carbon but no other side chain chemistry.

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