The protein formed by the encoded gene expression in a heterologous host is called:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Recombinant protein
Option (1) Structural protein — Incorrect. Structural proteins build cell parts, such as collagen; the name says nothing about where a protein is made.
Option (2) Recombinant protein — Correct. When a protein-coding gene is expressed in a host of a different species (a heterologous host), the protein made is called a recombinant protein.
Option (3) Transposon — Incorrect. A transposon is a DNA segment that can move to a new place in the genome; it is not a protein.
Option (4) Prohormone — Incorrect. A prohormone is an inactive precursor of a hormone, such as proinsulin with its extra C peptide.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 22-05-2025 (Slot 1).
NCERT Extract:
Obtaining the Foreign Gene Product – “… After having cloned the gene of interest and having optimised the conditions to induce the expression of the target protein, one has to consider producing it on a large scale. … If any protein encoding gene is expressed in a heterologous host, it is called a recombinant protein.”