A researcher is studying the integral membrane protein "mysteriase" and chooses to perform an experiment similar to that performed by Frye and Edidin.The researcher fuses a mouse cell expressing mysteriase with a human cell.The fused cell is incubated at 37^$\circ$C prior to being cooled to 0^$\circ$C and labeled with a fluorescent antibody against mysteriase.When observed with a fluorescent microscope,mysteriase is observed to remain on one side of the fused cell.What is the most likely explanation for this surprising observation? A)Mysteriase rigidifies the plasma membrane B)There is an error in the experimental procedure because this result is impossible C)Mysteriase is bound to the cytoskeletal filament D)Mouse cells are less fluid than human cells E)Mysteriase is a flippase enzyme that enhances lipid flip-flop rather than lipid lateral movement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mysteriase remaining on one side of the fused cell suggests that it is bound to the cytoskeletal filament. This is similar to the observations made by Frye and Edidin, where they found that membrane proteins can be restricted to one side of the fused cell due to their interactions with the underlying cytoskeleton. This result also rules out options A, D and E as potential explanations. Option B is incorrect because this result is not impossible, as demonstrated by the Frye and Edidin experiment.

A Researcher Is Studying the Integral Membrane Protein "Mysteriase" and Chooses