MODULE 1
Objective 1.5 Lesson A
Course
Advanced
Biotechnology
Unit
Protein
Structure and
Function
Essential
Question
What are
consequences
of mutated
proteins?
TEKS
130.364 2J,
6A, 6E, 6F, 6H,
6I
TAKS
Science 2A,
3A, 3B, 6B, 6C
Prior Student
Learning
Transcription/
Translation
Decoding DNA to Disease
Mutated Protein-Introduction to BLAST
Rationale
Students transcribe and translate a given sequence of DNA and perform a
BLAST search against a database of known proteins to determine which
protein their sequence encodes. The goal is to show students that genes
encode proteins, which in turn can cause disease if mutated or function
improperly.
Unfortunately, most students fail to make the connection between DNA
sequence, proteins and protein function to sustain life. The goal of this
activity is to allow students to discover that DNA sequences, while the A, T,
G, and C’s seem like non-sense, do in fact encode very important proteins
that help us sustain life. They will also discover that some of these proteins
are involved in causing diseases.
The program used to search the available database of proteins is called
“BLAST.” It is provided by the National Institutes of Health and is widely
used by research scientists to search for DNA and protein sequences. Be
sure to emphasize to students that this is a very advanced program that is
usually only used by experienced scientists.
Objectives
Students will:
 Transcribe and translate a DNA sequence.
 Use the Internet and a specialized database search engine to
identify the protein encoded by a certain DNA sequence.
 Research a certain protein and the disease that can result from an
abnormality in the protein.
Estimated
Time
120 minutes
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Engage
1. Show students the video clip Finding a Cure, which illustrates an
example of a defective gene leading to disease. It is also important to
point out that it’s not just the DNA sequence that has changed and
caused disease. It is the expression of this gene in the form of a
protein that eventually causes disease. Some discussion questions
associated with the video:
 What is the relationship between genes and proteins in the human
body?
 What is the significance of the shapes of proteins for their functions
in humans?
 How does the mutation in the gene that causes CF specifically
affect the functioning of the lungs?
Key Points
 Refer to Power Point 1.5 Protein Structure and Function.
 View Podcast 1.7 Protein Structure and Function.
Activity
1. Students view Podcast 1.7 Protein Structure and Function.
2 . Students complete Protein Structure and Function Student
Resources.
3. Students complete DNA to Disease using one the sequence strips
given to them by you. See Disease DNA Sequences.
4. Students create possible quiz questions over their results.
5. Display products around the classroom and have students answer
the questions generated by their classmates.
Assessment
 Correct identification of protein and disease
 Testing of material using student generated questions
Materials
 Decoding DNA to Disease
 Disease DNA Sequences for teacher use
Accommodations for Learning Differences
 Visit the Special Populations section of the CTE Career and
Technical Education Website: http://cte.unt.edu/special-pops.
National and State Education Standards
Texas College and Career Readiness Standards
Science Standards
I. A2, C1, D1, D2, E1, E2
III. A1, B2, B3, C1, D1
VI. D2, D3
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Decoding DNA to Disease
Name: ____________________
1. Obtain your DNA sequence from your teacher and record in Table 1.
2. Transcribe your DNA sequence into its complimentary mRNA and record in
Table 1.
3. Translate your mRNA sequence into single letter amino acid sequence and
record in Table 1.
Table 1
DNA
sequence
mRNA
sequence
Amino
Acids
4. Go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/.
5. Define the acronym BLAST.
6. What is the function of the BLAST program?
7. Chose the Protein BLAST program. Enter the one-letter abbreviations for your
amino acid sequence in the SEARCH box – be sure to enter them in the correct
order!
8. Click on the “BLAST” button.
9. On the next page, click on the “FORMAT” button. It may take a few minutes to
process your sequence.
10. Next, scroll down to the list of proteins that matched your sequence. Choose the
one that contains the highest similarities.
11. The protein that your DNA sequence encodes is: ________________________
12. This protein is involved in the following disease:__________________________
13. Use the Internet to research your disease. Type a brief paragraph explaining the
disease caused by this protein. Provide a description of any mutations involved
and how these mutations affect gene expression and protein folding. Also, include a
picture of the protein by adding a screen shot. Be sure to record all of your
resources.
14. At the bottom of your disease description, create 3 questions from the material you
generated. They may be multiple choice, short answer, or fill in the blank. Provide
answers to these questions on the back of the disease description. These
questions may be used for class quizzes or test.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Template DNA SEQUENCE
PROTEIN
GENE
DISEASE
tacgagtgtaagtaccggagactgtcgctccttcttcacacacta
Presenilin 2
PS2
Alzheimer’s
tacctacataagtactttcctgaaagtttccggttcctccctcaa
Synuclein
SNCA
Parkinson’s
tacgcgaaggcgaaaccccaccaccacggtgggcggcaccggccg
Laforin
EPM2A
Epilepsy
tacgtaaccccttgggacacgcctaagaacaccgaaaccgggata
Leptin
OB
Obesity
tacggataacctaggtttctctccggttgtaaaaaactttaaaaa
BRCA 2
BRCA2
Breast cancer
tactttttatagtaccgacctaacgttgtttggttgtcacttttc
Dystrophin
DMD
Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy
tacttccaagacacccgacgcaacgaccagtgtaaggaccgtcct
Apolipoprotein E
APOE
Atherosclerosis
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.