You are studying the effects of a novel drug on the process of protein synthesis in a cell culture system. You discover that addition of the drug causes failure of ribosomes to attach to membranes of the ER. Which of the following is the most likely shortterm consequence in the treated cells?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The drug prevents ribosomes from attaching to the ER, which is crucial for the synthesis of proteins destined for secretion or for the membrane. This would lead to a selective decrease in the secretion of glycoproteins, which are typically synthesized in the ER.  Membrane-bound and secreted proteins are synthesized by ribosomes attached to the membranes of the ER. Failure of the ribosomes to attach would, therefore, lead to reduced capacity to synthesis both secreted and membrane-bound proteins.

You Are Studying the Effects of a Novel Drug on the Process