Explain how the lac operon can be used to express a recombinant protein in an E. coli cell.
Explain how the lac operon can be used to express a recombinant protein in an E. coli cell.
Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
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Gene Interactions
When the expression of a single trait is influenced by two or more different non-allelic genes, it is termed as genetic interaction. According to Mendel's law of inheritance, each gene functions in its own way and does not depend on the function of another gene, i.e., a single gene controls each of seven characteristics considered, but the complex contribution of many different genes determine many traits of an organism.
Gene Expression
Gene expression is a process by which the instructions present in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are converted into useful molecules such as proteins, and functional messenger ribonucleic (mRNA) molecules in the case of non-protein-coding genes.
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Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding the Lac Operon for Recombinant Protein Expression in E. coli**
**Lac Operon and Recombinant Protein Expression:**
The lac operon is a well-studied genetic system in E. coli that can be manipulated to express recombinant proteins. To utilize the lac operon for this purpose:
1. **Promoter Activation**: The lac operon can be induced by the presence of an inducer such as IPTG, which activates the promoter, allowing transcription.
2. **Gene Insertion**: A gene encoding the protein of interest is inserted downstream of the lac promoter, taking advantage of the operon's regulatory system to drive expression of the recombinant protein.
3. **Efficient Expression**: This system ensures high-level expression of the protein when the E. coli cells are grown under optimal conditions with the inducer.
**Beta-Galactosidase Gene Structure:**
The β-galactosidase gene is split into α and Ω segments, forming a two-part enzyme system:
1. **Complementation**: The α fragment can complement the Ω fragment in a process known as α-complementation, which restores full enzymatic activity when both segments are expressed.
2. **Research Applications**: This division allows for various applications, such as blue/white screening in cloning experiments, facilitating the identification of successful gene insertions.
Understanding these mechanisms provides insight into how genetic engineering and molecular biology techniques can be applied in research and biotechnology.
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