Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780134604718
Author: William S. Klug, Michael R. Cummings, Charlotte A. Spencer, Michael A. Palladino, Darrell Killian
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 16, Problem 1NST

Even though the lac Z, Y, and A structural genes are transcribed as a single polycistronic mRNA, each gene contains the initiation and termination signals essential for translation. Predict what will happen when a cell growing in the presence of lactose contains a deletion of one nucleotide (a) early in the Z gene and (b) early in the A gene.

(a)

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Summary Introduction

To determine: The fate of a cell growing in the presence of lactose and containing a deletion in one of the nucleotides presents early in the Z gene.

Introduction: The lac operon contains its promoter, regulator, and three structural genes designated as Z, Y, and A. The Z gene encodes β-galactosidase aids in cleaving the disaccharide lactose into its monomers glucose and galactose.

Explanation of Solution

If there is a deletion of one nucleotide in the early Z gene, then there will be a frameshift of all the reading frames present downstream from the deletion, which alters many amino acids. As a result of mutation, either premature chain termination of the translation will occur, or the normal chain termination will be ignored. If such a cell is placed in a lactose medium, it will be incapable of growing because of the unavailability of the β-galactosidase gene.

Thus, the cell with a deletion mutation in the early Z gene is incapable of growing in lactose medium because of the absence of the β-galactosidase gene.

(b)

Expert Solution
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To determine: The fate of a cell growing in the presence of lactose and containing a deletion in one of the nucleotides present early in the A gene

Introduction: The lac operon contains three structural genes known as lacZ, lacY, and lacA. The three genes are transcribed in the form of a single mRNA under the control of one lac promoter. The lacA codes for transacetylase that transfer acetyl groups from acetyl-coenzyme A to β-galactoside.

Explanation of Solution

When there is a deletion of one nucleotide in the early A gene, the expected function of A gene product is impaired, but the use of lactose as a carbon source is not influenced. In this situation, if a cell is placed in a lactose-containing medium, then the cell will grow normally.

Thus, the cell with a deletion mutation in the early A gene has impaired gene A product, and it can grow normally in the lactose-containing medium.

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Even though the LacZ,Y and A structural genes are transcribed as a single polycistronic mRNA, each gene contains the initiation and termination signals essential for translation. Predict what will happen when a cell growing in the presence of lactose contains a deletion of one nucleotide early in the Z gene and early in the A gene.
Consider a stretch of DNA (a hypothetical gene) that has the sequence 5’ ATG-CTA-TCA-TGG-TTC-TAA 3’ A) Transcribe and translate this gene using the genetic code table. Be sure to label the mRNA 3’ and 5’ ends. Write the amino acid sequence using 1 letter abbreviations. B) Now, our hypothetical gene has undergone a mutation. The mutant sequence is....3’ TAC-GAT-AGT-ACC-AAT-ATT 5’5’ ATG-CTA-TCA-TGG-TTA-TAA 3’ Transcribe and translate the mutant sequence. Be sure to label the mRNA 3’ and 5’ ends. Write the amino acid sequence using 1 letter abbreviations. C) Indicate the type of mutation (nonsense, missense, silent, or frame shift) present. D) How severe of a consequence will this mutation likely be in terms of protein function (none, mild, moderate or severe)? Why?
The following double-stranded DNA sequence is part of a hypothetical yeast genome which contains a very small gene. Transcription starts at the Transcription Start Site (TSS), proceeds in the direction of the arrow and stops at the end of the Transcription Terminator (green box). 5' 3' TSS CTATAAAAATGCCATGCATTATCTAGATAGTAGGCTCTGAGAAATTTATCTCACT | | | | | | | | | | GATATTTTTACGGTACGTAATAGATCTATCATCCGAGACTCTTTAAATAGAGTGA - 5' PROMOTER TERMINATOR 3' a) Which strand (top or bottom) is the template strand? Explain why. b) What is the sequence of the mRNA produced from this gene? Label the 5' and 3' ends. c) What is the sequence of the protein produced from the mRNA? d) If a mutation (an insertion) were found where a T/A (top/bottom) base pair were added immediately after the T/A base pair shown in red, what would be the sequence of the mRNA? What would be the sequence of the protein?
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