Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 17: Problem 4

The human insulin gene contains a number of sequences that are removed in the processing of the mRNA transcript. Bacterial cells cannot excise these sequences from mRNA transcripts, yet this gene can be cloned into a bacterial cell and produce insulin. Explain how this is possible.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Bacterial cells are able to produce human insulin by utilizing recombinant DNA technology. Scientists design a synthetic insulin gene without the unnecessary sequences that bacteria cannot process. This synthetic gene is inserted into a vector, typically a plasmid, creating a recombinant DNA molecule. The recombinant DNA is then introduced into bacterial cells, which incorporate the foreign DNA into their genome. As a result, the bacterial cells can correctly process the mRNA transcribed from the synthetic gene and produce human insulin. This insulin is then harvested and purified for medical use.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA technology is an important biotechnology tool that involves the manipulation and combination of DNA from different sources. This allows for the introduction of new genes, such as the human insulin gene, into a host organism (like bacteria) to produce the desired protein.
02

Isolate Human Insulin Gene

In order to produce human insulin in bacteria, first, scientists need to isolate the human insulin gene. This gene is extracted from human DNA and then prepared for insertion into a bacterial cell.
03

Use a Synthetic Gene

The next step would be to design a synthetic human insulin gene that lacks the unnecessary sequences that bacteria cannot process. In this way, scientists can exclude sequences that need to be excised by cellular machinery, thereby making it possible for the bacterial cell to produce functional human insulin.
04

Construct a Recombinant DNA Molecule

Once the synthetic insulin gene has been designed, it is inserted into a vector, usually a plasmid (a small circular piece of DNA), which will be used to transfer the gene into the bacterial cell. The synthetic insulin gene is then combined with the plasmid to create a recombinant DNA molecule.
05

Transform Bacterial Cells

The recombinant DNA molecule is then introduced into bacterial cells (usually Escherichia coli) through a process called transformation. During transformation, competent bacterial cells take up the foreign DNA, incorporating it into their own genome.
06

Protein Expression

Once the recombinant DNA is established in the bacterial cell, the cell's machinery begins to use the synthetic insulin gene to produce human insulin. The bacteria can now synthesize human insulin because they can correctly process the mRNA transcribed from the synthetic gene, which lacks the unnecessary sequences that bacterial cells normally cannot process.
07

Purify Insulin

Finally, after the bacterial cells have produced human insulin, it is harvested and purified for medical use. This recombinant human insulin can then be administered to individuals with diabetes to help manage their blood glucose levels.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What advantages do cDNA libraries provide over genomic DNA libraries? Describe cloning applications where the use of a genomic library is necessary to provide information that a cDNA library cannot.

What are the advantages of using a restriction enzyme whose recognition site is relatively rare? When would you use such enzymes?

In a typical PCR reaction, describe what is happening in stages occurring at temperature ranges (a) \(92-95^{\circ} \mathrm{C},\) (b) \(45-65^{\circ} \mathrm{C},\) and (c) \(65-75^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\)

Provide one example of a CRISPR-Cas application for biotechnology.

One complication of making a transgenic animal is that the transgene might integrate at random into the coding region, or the regulatory region, of an endogenous gene. What might be the consequences of such random integrations? How might this complicate genetic analysis of the transgene?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Ecology

Read Explanation

Energy Transfers

Read Explanation

Biological Processes

Read Explanation

Organ Systems

Read Explanation

Substance Exchange

Read Explanation

Biological Molecules

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free