Final answer:
Beta-actin must be consistent in Western Blots as it is often used as a loading control to verify equal protein loading across samples. Actin isoforms, like beta-actin, are functionally significant, with genetic studies showing that they can be essential for survival and development in different organisms. Beta-actin gene mutations in humans can lead to developmental and neurological disorders but are not necessarily lethal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, beta-actin must be consistent in Western Blots as it's commonly used as a loading control to ensure that protein levels are equal across samples. Inconsistent levels of beta-actin could indicate variations in sample loading, leading to inaccurate results. Isoforms of actin, including beta-actin, are indeed functionally significant. The presence of myosin monomers that decorate these actins might not dramatically change their protein function, but they could confer physiological advantages to specific cell types.
In biological research, the reliability of beta-actin as a control is essential as it helps in the comparison of target protein levels in different samples. The functional significance of actin isoforms is highlighted by genetic studies in different organisms. While in mice, the loss of gamma-actin appears to be more tolerable, the loss of beta-actin is lethal at embryonic stages, underlining its crucial role in development. In humans, mutations in the beta-actin gene can lead to serious developmental and neurological issues, including epilepsy, kidney, and heart abnormalities. However, these conditions are not lethal, with many individuals leading nearly normal lives despite beta-actin gene mutations.