Question

The net charge of a protein may not be sufficient to determine whether a protein will bind to an ion exchanger. This is due to:

• A. The presence of hydrophobic patches on the protein surface
• B. Heterogeneous spatial distribution of charged amino acids
• C. The presence of repeating motifs in some proteins
• D. The strong hydration potential of protein

Hint:

When studying protein interactions with ion exchangers, focus on the distribution of charges, not just the net charge.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The ability of a protein to bind to an ion exchanger depends not only on its overall charge but also on the spatial distribution of charged amino acids. The heterogeneous distribution of these charges across the protein's surface means that even proteins with similar net charges can exhibit different binding characteristics. Hydrophobic patches, repeating motifs, and hydration potential can also influence protein interactions but are secondary to charge distribution.