How would the radioactivity appear in the fully translated molecule of Protein X when radioactive amino acids were added during synthesis?

How would the radioactivity appear in the fully translated molecule of Protein X when radioactive amino acids were added during synthesis?

• A. Evenly distributed throughout the molecule
• B. Located only at one end of the molecule
• C. Concentrated in the middle of the molecule only
• D. Evenly distributed at both ends, but lacking in the middle

Answer: (B)

The radioactivity in the fully translated molecule of Protein X would appear unevenly, specifically concentrated at one end of the molecule. This outcome could be attributed to the process of translation, where amino acids are added sequentially to the growing polypeptide chain. If radioactive amino acids were introduced during the translation, the incorporation of these labeled amino acids would occur as the ribosome synthesizes the protein from the N-terminus to the C-terminus. Consequently, if the radioactive amino acids were added in a specific phase of synthesis and only continuously available for a distinct period, the end of the molecule (either the N-terminus or C-terminus) would typically exhibit higher radioactivity, while the opposite end or central regions would have fewer or no radioactive amino acids incorporated. The uneven distribution highlights the directional nature of protein synthesis and the time window during which the radioactive amino acids were available, leading to the conclusion that the radioactivity would be concentrated at one specific end of the molecule.

The radioactivity in the fully translated molecule of Protein X would appear unevenly, specifically concentrated at one end of the molecule. This outcome could be attributed to the process of translation, where amino acids are added sequentially to the growing polypeptide chain.

If radioactive amino acids were introduced during the translation, the incorporation of these labeled amino acids would occur as the ribosome synthesizes the protein from the N-terminus to the C-terminus. Consequently, if the radioactive amino acids were added in a specific phase of synthesis and only continuously available for a distinct period, the end of the molecule (either the N-terminus or C-terminus) would typically exhibit higher radioactivity, while the opposite end or central regions would have fewer or no radioactive amino acids incorporated.

The uneven distribution highlights the directional nature of protein synthesis and the time window during which the radioactive amino acids were available, leading to the conclusion that the radioactivity would be concentrated at one specific end of the molecule.