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FUNCTION FINDERS
Discover how DNA sequences code for
proteins with different roles and functions
yourgenome.org
THE CODON WHEEL
- Start from the centre and
move outwards
Example: CAT = H (Histidine)
yourgenome.org
FUNCTION FINDERS ANSWERS
Amino acid sequence
Protein name
Function
M K S AI LT G L L F V
Antifreeze protein
type III
Prevents fish freezing in icy seawater.
2
MSKGEELFTGVV
Green
Fluorescent
Protein (GFP)
Used by jellyfish to communicate, also
used as a marker in genetic engineering
to indicate when genes have been
inserted.
3
ENMENDENIVYG
Luciferase
Used by fireflies to create light in a
process called bioluminescence.
4
G W A L R I M F L H LY
Odorant receptor
protein OR1
Receptor used by mosquitoes to detect
the smell of sweat.
5
MEL AAL C RW GLL
HER1
A molecular switch which turns cell
division ‘on’ or ‘off’.
1
yourgenome.org
FUNCTION FINDERS ANSWERS
Amino acid sequence
Protein name
Function
6
PG EN LC YR K M W C
Alphabungarotoxin
Snake venom.
7
P R E I Q T AV R L L L
Histone H2B
Used to wind up DNA so it can be
condensed into chromosomes.
8
P G G E K E T S AT Q R
Mucin-1
Forms a protective film on the surface
of cell in our bodies e.g. those lining the
intestines and throat.
9
EKRKLFIRSM
Caspase 1
Destroys cellular proteins which leads to
cell death (apoptosis).
10
MSSDSEMAIF
Myosin 1
Makes muscles move.
yourgenome.org
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?
yourgenome.org
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?
yourgenome.org
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
yourgenome.org
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?
m
k
,W
v
lp
c
ia
d
fo
trs
n
e
C
yourgenome.org
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?
s
g
Ia
m
o
lc
e
W
yourgenome.org
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
yourgenome.org
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
yourgenome.org
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
yourgenome.org
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
yourgenome.org
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
yourgenome.org