Shown here are the amino acid sequences of the wild-type and three mutant forms of a short protein.
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Wild-type: Met-Trp-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Ser-Pro-Thr
Mutant 1: Met-Trp
Mutant 2: Met-Trp-His-Arg-Gly-Ser-Pro-Thr
Mutant 3: Met-Cys-Ile-Val-Val-Val-Gln-His                                  _

Use this information to answer the following questions:

Of the first eight wild-type triplets, which, if any, can you determine specifically from an analysis of the mutant proteins? In each case, explain why or why not.

Key Concepts

Amino Acid Sequence

The amino acid sequence of a protein is the order of amino acids in the polypeptide chain, which determines the protein's structure and function. Each amino acid is encoded by a specific triplet of nucleotides in DNA, known as a codon. Analyzing the differences in sequences between wild-type and mutant proteins can reveal which amino acids are altered, providing insights into the effects of mutations on protein function.

Mutations and Their Effects

Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to alterations in the amino acid sequence of proteins. These changes can be classified as missense, nonsense, or frameshift mutations, each affecting protein function differently. Understanding the type of mutation present in the mutant proteins helps in determining which specific amino acids in the wild-type sequence can be inferred from the analysis of the mutants.

Comparative Analysis of Protein Sequences

Comparative analysis involves examining the amino acid sequences of different protein variants to identify similarities and differences. By comparing the wild-type sequence with those of the mutants, one can deduce which amino acids remain unchanged and which have been altered. This analysis is crucial for determining the specific triplets that can be inferred from the mutant sequences, as it highlights the impact of mutations on the overall protein structure.