Final answer:
Mutations in actin would result in improper distribution of mitochondria within a cell due to disruption of the cytoskeleton, which actin forms part of as microfilaments providing tracks for organelle transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The protein that, when mutated, would result in the lack of proper distribution of mitochondria within a cell is actin.
Mitochondria are distributed within cells through a mechanism involving the cytoskeleton, which includes both microfilaments (such as actin) and microtubules. Actin is a key component of the cell's cytoskeleton and functions alongside motor proteins such as myosin. These proteins work together to facilitate movement and distribution of organelles within the cell.
Actin filaments provide tracks along which myosin motors can “walk” to transport cargo, including mitochondria. Mutations in actin can disrupt this infrastructure, leading to improper distribution of the mitochondria, thus impacting the energy supply and overall functioning of the cell. In contrast, myosin, keratin, and dynamin have different roles. Myosin works with actin to facilitate movement but is not the track itself, keratin is a structural protein found in epithelial cells, and dynamin is involved in vesicle fission processes.
Mutations in the protein dynamin would result in a lack of proper distribution of mitochondria within a cell. Dynamin is involved in the process of mitochondrial fission, which is essential for the proper distribution of mitochondria in cells. Mutations in dynamin can disrupt this process and lead to abnormal distribution of mitochondria. For example, mutations in dynamin have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A, which is characterized by abnormal mitochondrial distribution in peripheral nerves.