Question

Question 1.

You are a cancer researcher studying skin cancer cells that have become metastatic (i.e. they’ve migrated from the site of the original tumor to establish new secondary tumors). You analyze skin samples from an unaffected patient and from one with the metastatic cancer. After a series of detergent solublization and centrifugation steps, you separate pellet samples from each tissue type by gel electrophoresis and find the following results:

skin norma cancer tissue tissue 250kDa-_A 120kDa 30kDa

A. What is the difference between the normal skin sample versus the skin cancer tissue sample? (2 points)

B. Which protein would you select for further study? (2 points)

C. Many proteins work in complexes with other proteins. How could you determine if the cancer protein in question above has one or more intracellular binding partners? (6 points)

Answer 1

A) from the data given in the image cancerous skin sample produces more 120 kDa protein compared to the normal skin sample.

B) when both samples are compared only 120 kDa protein is expressed more in the cancer tissue so that protein is involved in the cancer phenotype so for further studies we have to use that protein.

C) To further proceed with the studies purified 120 kDa protein is required and also it`s antibody is required, Using the antibody against this protein immunoprecipitate this protein from the cell when we are precipitating this protein from the cell its interacting partners in the cell will also get precipitated.