Question

Consider the Ras signal-transduction pathway. Suppose a mutation occurred in the gene that encodes the transmembrane receptor to which a growth factor binds. The mutation no longer allows the growth factor to bind to the receptor. Which of the following methods could be used to overcome this mutation and allow the pathway to move forward?

A.
Inject extremely high levels of growth factor into the cell.

B.
Inject the activated form of Ras into the cell.

C.
Inject normal levels of nonmutated growth factor into the cell.

D.
Inject nonmutated tumor-suppressor genes into the cell.

E.
Inject only the growth factor binding domain of the transmembrane receptor into the cell.

Answer 1

The correct method to overcome the mutation in the gene that encodes the transmembrane receptor is to inject only the growth factor binding domain of the transmembrane receptor into the cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct method to overcome the mutation in the gene that encodes the transmembrane receptor is to inject only the growth factor binding domain of the transmembrane receptor into the cell.

By injecting only the growth factor binding domain, we can provide the receptor with the necessary component for the growth factor to bind to it, bypassing the mutation in the gene. This would allow the pathway to move forward and activate the Ras signal transduction pathway.

Injecting extremely high levels of growth factor into the cell (option A) would not be effective because the mutated receptor cannot bind to the growth factor. Injecting the activated form of Ras into the cell (option B) would also not be effective because the mutation is in the gene that encodes the receptor, not the Ras protein itself. Similarly, injecting normal levels of nonmutated growth factor (option C) or nonmutated tumor-suppressor genes (option D) would not address the mutation in the receptor gene.