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IS2, a genetic element for turn-off and turn-on of gene activity in E. coli

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Summary

Genetic analysis of the constitutive revertants of the IS2 mutation 308 located in the control region of the gal operon on the bacterial chromosome suggests that the constitutive expression of the gal genes might be due to inversion of IS2.

Analysis of suitable DNA-DNA heteroduplex molecules in the electron microscope clearly shows one constitutive revertant of galOP::IS2-308 isolated on the F′ 8gal episome is due to fusion of the gal genes to IS2 located in the F-sequences. This IS2 is in opposite orientation with respect to the original IS2-308. We call the orientation of IS2, in which expression of genes is allowed at a very high level, orientation II. In orientation I, IS2 prevents the expression of gene activity. Since, as will be discussed, IS2 is translocated as a unit, IS2 can be considered as a controlling element for turn-off or turn-on of gene activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Genetik der Universität Köln, Köln, Germany

    H. Saedler & H. J. Reif

  2. Dept. of Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

    S. Hu & N. Davidson

Authors
  1. H. Saedler
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  2. H. J. Reif
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  3. S. Hu
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  4. N. Davidson
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Communicated by E. Bautz

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Saedler, H., Reif, H.J., Hu, S. et al. IS2, a genetic element for turn-off and turn-on of gene activity in E. coli. Molec. Gen. Genet. 132, 265–289 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268569

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268569

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