If a eukaryotic gene is inserted in prokaryotic cellwould gene expressed its characters?

Answer 1

Yes. Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes use the same system of codons (they speak the same 'language'). For example, GGG will be translated to glycine in a human and in E. coli bacteria. Therefore, as long as the eukaryotic gene is attached to the appropriate prokaryotic gene regulation elements, a prokaryotic cell will be able to translate and express the gene. The most common method to accomplish this is to put the eukaryotic gene in a 'vector' (most commonly a plasmid of bacterial origin), and then transform the bacteria with this vector.

This is how humulin (human insulin) was first prepared by recombinant DNA technology. The eukaryotic genetic information (human DNA) was inserted into prokaryotic plasmids, and the bacteria then synthesized insulin.

Answer 2

It depends on: what is the location of the protein in the eukaryotic cell and what is its function. First of all, eukaryotic proteins that are located in the cell membrane (like growth factor receptors) or are secreted outside of the cells (like growth factors themselves) are being glycosylated, meaning the get various sugar residues attached to them. This does not happen in prokaryotic cells. Additionally, if a protein is to be located in membrane or secreted - it requires a specific sequence at its N-terminus. The eukaryotic signal sequences are different to prokaryotic. So, eukaryotic membrane and secreted proteins, not only would remain inside the prokaryotic cell, but would also lack their glycosylation. In turn, the intracellular proteins of eukaryotic organisms are not glycosylated and contain no special sequences to be located in the cytoplasm, so in prokaryotic cells they would also retain inside the cell. Would they retain their characteristics? Well, if it's an enzyme that metabolises a common compound like, say, glucose, it would probably still be able to metabolise it in a prokaryotic cell. However if it's a protein that requires other eukaryotes-specific genes or molecules to be functional, then it probably would do nothing in a prokaryotic cell on its own. When considering the expression of the gene, several facts need to be considered: 1. It is important to remember that the majority of eukaryotic genes are divided into exons and introns, which is not the case in prokaryotes and therefore a genomic seuqence of a gene inserted into a prokaryote would most likely code for a nonsense protein. 2. Transcription from DNA to RNA requires recruitment of transcription factors which recognise specific sequences in the promoter of the gene, which is usually located upstream of it. These sequences are different in pro- and eukaryotes and therefore a eukaryotic promoter would not work in a prokaryotic system. 3. For the translation to be efficient, a special sequence is required for the ribosome to start the translation. In prokaryotes it is Shine-Dalgarno sequence, in eukaryotes - Kozak sequence. They are distinct from one another, so again - unmodified eukaryotic mRNA would be translated in a prokaryotic cell with very low efficiency.

Answer 3

I think it all depends on how the gene is inserted. You have to remember that Eukaryotic genes have introns, whereas Prokaryotic genes have NO introns. This means that prokaryotes would not have the machinery (spliceosomes/SNRPs) to remove the introns. In saying this, if introns in the Eukaryotic gene were first cleaved before insertion into the Prokaryotic genome than this may be possible. Another consideration is the whole promoter issue. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes use promoters, however eukaryotes need activators/transcription factors to initiate transcription. This whole process is very complex, but it is possible. For example: Green Flourescent Protein (GFP) was first found in bacteria (prokaryote), however they have sucessfully made whole eukaryotic organisms that contain the GFP. Hope this kindof helps. cheers, Jordan (student at The University of Western Ontario)

Answer 4

It depends on how you insert the gene. If the proper promoters are also inserted the prokaryotic cell will produce the protein. This is how insulin is produced for diabetic patients.

Answer 5

so long as the cell has the machinery to produce the finished product it is POSSIBLE. some proteins require post-translational alterations