Knowing that the genetic code is generally considered universal, a scientist uses biotechnology to insert a human DNA gene for beta-globin into E. coli cells. He is certain that the bacterial cells will express and synthesize functional beta-globin. Beta-globin is one of the proteins used to form the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin protein (a quaternary structure) and could be used to help patients with abnormal hemoglobin. Instead, the protein produced by the bacteria is larger and non-functional. Upon further investigation it was found to have a different shape with a different sequence of amino acids than the normal protein.
Question:
With your knowledge of DNA, the genetic code, and protein synthesis, try to explain why the proper human gene for the beta-globin that was inserted into the bacteria might not have produced the correct shape and sequence of amino acids and why the protein formed wasn't functional.
Knowing that the genetic code is generally considered universal, a scientist uses biotechnology to insert a human DNA gene for beta-globin into E. coli cells. He is certain that the bacterial cells will express and synthesize functional beta-globin. Beta-globin is one of the proteins used to form the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin protein (a quaternary structure) and could be used to help patients with abnormal hemoglobin. Instead, the protein produced by the bacteria is larger and non-functional. Upon further investigation it was found to have a different shape with a different sequence of amino acids than the normal protein.
Question:
With your knowledge of DNA, the genetic code, and protein synthesis, try to explain why the proper human gene for the beta-globin that was inserted into the bacteria might not have produced the correct shape and sequence of amino acids and why the protein formed wasn't functional.
