A research scientist is interested in producing human insulin in the bacterial species E. coli. Will the genetic code allow the production of human proteins from bacterial cells? Explain why or why not.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the genetic code is nearly universal, meaning that the codons (triplets of nucleotides) that specify amino acids are the same in almost all organisms, including humans and bacteria like E. coli.
2. Recognize that because of this universality, the mRNA transcribed from a human insulin gene can be translated by the bacterial ribosomes to produce the same amino acid sequence as in human cells.
3. Consider that while the genetic code allows the production of the correct protein sequence, other factors such as post-translational modifications and proper protein folding might differ between human and bacterial cells.
4. Note that to produce human insulin in E. coli, the human insulin gene must be inserted into a bacterial plasmid with appropriate regulatory sequences (like a bacterial promoter) to ensure expression in the bacterial system.
5. Summarize that the genetic code's universality enables bacteria to produce human proteins, but successful production also depends on gene cloning techniques and bacterial expression systems.

Key Concepts

Universal Genetic Code

The genetic code is nearly universal across all organisms, meaning that the same codons specify the same amino acids in bacteria and humans. This universality allows bacterial cells like E. coli to translate human genes into functional proteins, such as insulin.

Gene Expression in Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

While the genetic code is universal, differences exist in gene expression mechanisms between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. For example, human genes contain introns that bacteria cannot process, so the gene must be modified (e.g., using cDNA) for proper expression in E. coli.

Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA technology involves inserting a human gene into a bacterial plasmid to produce human proteins in bacteria. This method enables E. coli to produce human insulin by expressing the inserted gene under bacterial control sequences.