Using site-directed mutagenesis, the mutation of a serine residue to an alanine residue might be used to _________.
I. decrease the solubility of a protein
II. eliminate the possibility of phosphorylation at that location
III. observe the impact of a non-polar side chain at that location
IV. prove that serine had a catalytic function in the native protein
V. promote proper folding of the protein

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Serine to alanine mutation eliminates the possibility of phosphorylation at that location (II) because alanine cannot be phosphorylated. This mutation also allows observation of the impact of a non-polar side chain at that location (III) since alanine is less polar than serine. Additionally, if the mutation affects the activity of the protein, it could prove that serine had a catalytic function in the native protein (IV).

Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis, the Mutation of a Serine Residue to an Alanine