Question

your colleague identified a mutation inhibiting exocytosis of the protein NERD. vesicles containing nerd cannot exit the cell. the mutation is a SNARE protein located on the plasma membrane, and not the vesicle. which type of snare protein is the mutation

Answer 1

The mutation affecting the exocytosis of the protein NERD involves a plasma membrane SNARE protein. The mutation likely affects a t-SNARE (target SNARE) on the plasma membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

SNARE proteins play a crucial role in vesicle trafficking and membrane fusion events within cells. They are classified into two main types: v-SNAREs (vesicle SNAREs) and t-SNAREs (target SNAREs). In exocytosis, vesicle-bound v-SNAREs interact with target t-SNAREs on the target membrane, facilitating the fusion of the vesicle with the plasma membrane.

In the scenario described, the mutation affecting exocytosis is located on the plasma membrane, specifically on the t-SNARE. This implies that the mutation interferes with the ability of the target membrane to engage in membrane fusion with vesicles containing the NERD protein. The mutation likely disrupts the normal function of the t-SNARE, hindering the final steps of exocytosis.