Question

At which stage can a mutation disrupt the normal production of a protein?

A Translation of polypeptide
B Protein folding
C Posttranslational modification
D Subcellular localization
E Any of the above

Answer 1

Mutations can disrupt protein production at any stage, including translation, protein folding, posttranslational modification, and subcellular localization. These disruptions can lead to non-functional proteins or impact their stability and degradation.

Step-by-step explanation:

A mutation can disrupt the normal production of a protein at any stage of the protein synthesis and processing pathway. This includes the translation of the polypeptide, protein folding, posttranslational modification, and subcellular localization. During translation, a mutation may alter the sequence of amino acids, potentially leading to a non-functional protein. Incorrect protein folding due to mutations can also render proteins inactive. Moreover, posttranslational modifications like phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, or ubiquitination, which often determine a protein's function, stability, and degradation, can be affected by mutations. Lastly, localization of the protein within different subcellular compartments is crucial for function, and mutations can lead to mislocalization, naturally impacting the protein's role in the cell.