Question

In a two-hybrid test, a certain gene A gave positive results with two clones, M and N. When M was used, it gave positives with three clones, A, S, and Q. Clone N gave only one positive (with A). Which of the following would be an appropriate interpretation of these results?

a)A is a protein that interacts with S, Q, and N.
b)M interacts with A, S, and Q.
c)N interacts with A and Q.
d)Q interacts with A, S, and M

Answer 1

The two-hybrid test results suggest that gene A interacts with clones M and N, and clone M interacts with other clones A, S, and Q. Clone N only shows interaction with A. The most valid interpretation is that M interacts with A, S, and Q.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of the two-hybrid test, the given interactions suggest the following: Gene A interacts with clones M and N, implying that the protein encoded by gene A binds to the proteins represented by these clones. Additionally, clone M interacts with S and Q in addition to A, while clone N only shows interaction with A. From this, we can derive that M is capable of interacting with multiple proteins, whereas the interaction range of N might be more restricted to A only.

Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation of the results is that M interacts with A, S, and Q. This is because every interaction involving M shows a positive result, indicating that the protein encoded by gene M can bind to those encoded by genes A, S, and Q.

It is not accurate to claim that N interacts with Q because there's no evidence of N interacting with Q directly. Similarly, while Q interacts with M (since M interacts with A, S, and Q), we don't have evidence that Q interacts with A or S directly, thus we cannot make a definitive conclusion about Q's interactions beyond its interaction with M.