You are studying the characteristics of membraneassociated proteins. You have isolated and characterized both wild-type and mutant forms of a particular protein. The mutant protein does not remain anchored in the plasma membrane. Which of the following properties results in membrane anchoring of the wild-type protein and is likely defective in the mutant version?
A) disulfide bond formation between the protein and its phosphatidylinositol anchor
B) extensive hydrogen bonding of the amino acid side chains of the protein and the membrane phospholipid tails
C) extensive hydrophobic interactions between the amino acid side chains of the protein and the membrane phospholipid tails
D) formation of ionic bonds between the amino acid side chains and the phospholipid tails
E) formation of β-pleated sheet structures to maximize protein interactions with the phospholipid head group

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hydrophobic interactions between the amino acid side chains of the protein and the membrane phospholipid tails are crucial for anchoring proteins in the membrane. If these interactions are defective in the mutant protein, it would not remain anchored in the plasma membrane. Membranes are predominantly lipid and thus most likely to interact with hydrophobic amino acids. The interaction between the hydrophobic R-groups of amino acids and the hydrophobic lipid tails of membrane phospholipids anchors integral membrane proteins to the membrane

You Are Studying the Characteristics of Membraneassociated Proteins