FUNCTION FINDERS

Discover how DNA sequences code for

proteins with different roles and functions
THE CODON WHEEL

- Start from the centre and

move outwards

Example: CAT = H (Histidine)

FUNCTION FINDERS ANSWERS

Amino acid sequence Protein name Function

Antifreeze protein
1 M K S AI LT G L L F V Prevents fish freezing in icy seawater.
type III

Used by jellyfish to communicate, also

Green
used as a marker in genetic engineering
2 MSKGEELFTGVV Fluorescent
to indicate when genes have been
Protein (GFP)
inserted.

Used by fireflies to create light in a

3 ENMENDENIVYG Luciferase
process called bioluminescence.

Odorant receptor Receptor used by mosquitoes to detect

4 G W A L R I M F L H LY
protein OR1 the smell of sweat.

A molecular switch which turns cell

5 MEL AAL C RW GLL HER1
division ‘on’ or ‘off’.
FUNCTION FINDERS ANSWERS

Amino acid sequence Protein name Function

Alpha-
6 PG EN LC YR K M W C Snake venom.
bungarotoxin

Used to wind up DNA so it can be

7 P R E I Q T AV R L L L Histone H2B
condensed into chromosomes.

Forms a protective film on the surface

8 P G G E K E T S AT Q R Mucin-1 of cell in our bodies e.g. those lining the
intestines and throat.

Destroys cellular proteins which leads to

9 EKRKLFIRSM Caspase 1
cell death (apoptosis).

10 MSSDSEMAIF Myosin 1 Makes muscles move.

1. ANTIFREEZE PROTEIN TYPE III

Sequence M K S A I L T G L L F V

Prevents fish such as the Atlantic wolffish freezing

in icy seawater.

What other organisms may use antifreeze

proteins?

DOAA, Wikimedia commons

How can this protein be relevant to us?

2. GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN

Sequence M S K G E E L F T G V V

Used by organisms such as jellyfish

(Aequorea victoria) to communicate.
It can also be used as a marker for successful
genetic manipulation to indicate when genes
have been inserted into cells.

S. Roy, Wellcome Images

Why is this protein relevant to us?

3. LUCIFERASE

Sequence E N M E N D E N I V Y G

Produced by fireflies to attract a mate through a

process called bioluminescence.

Which other organisms use bioluminescence?

Why is this protein relevant to us? Antfarmer, Wikimedia commons

4. ODORANT RECEPTOR PROTEIN OR1

Sequence G W A L R I M F L H L Y

Used by mosquitoes to detect human sweat.

Why is this protein relevant?

Centers for disease control and prevention, Wikimedia Commons

5. HER2

Sequence M E L A A L C R W G L L

Acts like a “molecular switch”, instructing cells

when to divide and when not to divide.

Why is this protein relevant to us?

Wellcome Images
6. ALPHA-BUNGAROTOXIN

Sequence P G E N L C Y R K M W C

Causes muscle paralysis. This toxic snake venom is

produced by the many-banded krait (Bungarus
multicinctus).

Why is this protein relevant?

Skink Chen, Flickr

7. HISTONE H2B

Sequence P R E I Q T A V R L L L

Acts as a scaffold for DNA so it can be condensed

into chromosomes.

Why is this protein relevant to us?

Paul Dixon
8. MUCIN-1

Sequence P G G E K E T S A T Q R

Forms a protective film on the surfaces of cells

in our bodies, e.g. those lining the intestines
and throat.

Why is this protein relevant?

Michela Schaeppi, Wellcome Images

9. CASPASE 1

Sequence E K R K L F I R S M G E

Destroys cellular proteins; this leads to cell death

(apoptosis).

Why is this protein relevant?

Paul Martin, Wellcome Images

10. MYOSIN 1

Sequence M S S D S E M A I F G E

A molecular machine that makes muscle fibres

contract by binding to and pulling another protein
scaffold.

Why is this protein relevant to us?

Paul Foot, Wikimedia commons