Reference no: EM133422778

Questions: Your advisor is explaining his latest results in your weekly lab meeting. By fusing his protein of interest to GFP, he has shown that it is located entirely in the nucleus. But he wonders if it is a true nuclear protein or a shuttling protein that just spends most of its time in the nucleus. He is unsure how to resolve this issue. Having just read an article about how a similar problem was answered, you suggest that he make a heterocaryon by fusing cells that are expressing his tagged protein with an excess of cells that are not expressing it. You tell him that in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor to block new synthesis of the tagged protein he can resolve the issue by examining fused cells with two nuclei. He gives you a puzzled look and asks how does that help. You tell him what he has so often told you: "Think about it.

1. How would examining the two nuclei in a heterocaryon answer the question? What results would you expect if the protein were a true nuclear protein? What would you expect if it were a shuttling protein? B.
2. Why did you suggest that a protein synthesis inhibitor would be needed in this experiment? 3.
3. Compare and contrast protein import into the ER and into the nucleus. List at least two major differences in the mechanisms and speculate on why the nuclear mechanism might not work for ER import and vice versa.