A researcher is studying the Fas receptor (FasR), a protein widely expressed on cell surfaces. The signaling cascade of programmed cell death is initiated when FasR binds to its ligand (FasL), which is expressed on cytotoxic T cells. In an experiment, cancer cells that escaped elimination by the immune system were found to contain soluble Fas proteins that did not promote apoptosis. The soluble Fas proteins were shorter and lacked the transmembrane domain. DNA analysis of these cells revealed no FAS gene mutations. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the formation of altered Fas proteins in these cancer cells?

Question

A researcher is studying the Fas receptor (FasR), a protein widely expressed on cell surfaces.  The signaling cascade of programmed cell death is initiated when FasR binds to its ligand (FasL), which is expressed on cytotoxic T cells.  In an experiment, cancer cells that escaped elimination by the immune system were found to contain soluble Fas proteins that did not promote apoptosis.  The soluble Fas proteins were shorter and lacked the transmembrane domain.  DNA analysis of these cells revealed no FAS gene mutations.  Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the formation of altered Fas proteins in these cancer cells?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Alternative splicing is a process by which a single gene can code for various unique proteins by selectively including or excluding different DNA coding regions (exons) into mature mRNA.

A Researcher Is Studying the Fas Receptor (FasR), a Protein