Mutations in the dnaA gene of E. coli are lethal. Therefore, we can only study such mutations if we are able to generate conditional mutations (mutations whose effect takes place only in certain conditions). One type of conditional mutation manifests the mutant phenotype at high temperatures and is thus called a temperature-sensitive mutation. Temperature-sensitive dnaA mutants grow and replicate their DNA at the permissive temperature of 25°C, but they do not grow or replicate their DNA at the restrictive (non-permissive) temperature of 37°C. Two observations helped to determine the function of the dnaA gene product: • First, in vitro studies using DNA templates that have been unwound do not require the DnaA protein for DNA synthesis. Second, if intact cells are grown at 25°C and then shifted to 37°C, DNA synthesis continues at this temperature until one round of replication is completed, and then DNA synthesis stops. a. What two conclusions can you draw from these observations about the role of the dnaA gene product? b. Explain your answers.
Mutations in the dnaA gene of E. coli are lethal. Therefore, we can only study such mutations if we are able to generate conditional mutations (mutations whose effect takes place only in certain conditions). One type of conditional mutation manifests the mutant phenotype at high temperatures and is thus called a temperature-sensitive mutation. Temperature-sensitive dnaA mutants grow and replicate their DNA at the permissive temperature of 25°C, but they do not grow or replicate their DNA at the restrictive (non-permissive) temperature of 37°C. Two observations helped to determine the function of the dnaA gene product: • First, in vitro studies using DNA templates that have been unwound do not require the DnaA protein for DNA synthesis. Second, if intact cells are grown at 25°C and then shifted to 37°C, DNA synthesis continues at this temperature until one round of replication is completed, and then DNA synthesis stops. a. What two conclusions can you draw from these observations about the role of the dnaA gene product? b. Explain your answers.
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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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:Mutations in the dnaA gene of E. coli are lethal. Therefore, we can only study such mutations if
we are able to generate conditional mutations (mutations whose effect takes place only in certain
conditions). One type of conditional mutation manifests the mutant phenotype at high
temperatures and is thus called a temperature-sensitive mutation. Temperature-sensitive dnaA
mutants grow and replicate their DNA at the permissive temperature of 25°C, but they do not
grow or replicate their DNA at the restrictive (non-permissive) temperature of 37°C.
Two observations helped to determine the function of the dnaA gene product:
• First, in vitro studies using DNA templates that have been unwound do not require the
DnaA protein for DNA synthesis.
Second, if intact cells are grown at 25°C and then shifted to 37°C, DNA synthesis
continues at this temperature until one round of replication is completed, and then
DNA synthesis stops.
a. What two conclusions can you draw from these observations about the role of the dnaA
gene product?
b. Explain your answers.
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