EDTA detaches adherent cells from a culture plate by chelating (“KEE-late-ing”) metals required by these proteins. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name these transmembrane proteins that attach cells to the extracellular matrix. They are named as ordered pairs of their alpha and beta chains, such as “alpha-one, beta-one.”
ANSWER: integrins
[10m] Two answers required. EDTA chelates these two divalent metals required by integrins. One is a cofactor in chlorophyll, and the other is a second messenger in cells.
ANSWER: calcium AND magnesium [or Ca2+ AND Mg2+; accept “++” in place of “2+”; prompt on partial answer]
[10e] In vitro, EDTA detaches integrins from this major structural protein, the main component of the extracellular matrix and the most common protein found in connective tissue.
ANSWER: collagen
<Adam Silverman, Science - Biology> ~20884~ <Editor: Adam Silverman>