Gene Regulation in Bacteria

A. Types of genes:

a. housekeeping

b. inducible (lac operon)

or repressible (trp operon)

* E. coli – 4,403 genes

*Fig. 11.1a

Pg. 37

Fig. 11.1b

Regulatory gene (i), codes for a repressor proteinPromoter (Plac)Operator (o)Lactose-utilization genes (z, y, and a)

lac operon

Fig. 11.1b

lac operon

Fig. 11.1b

lac operon

Operon is turned off!

Fig. 11.1b

lac operon

Fig. 11.1b

lac operon

Lactose = galactose + glucose

Fig. 11.1b

lac operon

Fig. 11.1c

trp operon

trp operon

What's a _________________?

• A ___________is all the DNA in an organism, including its genes. Genes carry information for making all the proteins required by all organisms.

• These proteins determine, among other things, how the organism looks, how well its body metabolizes food or fights infection, and sometimes even how it behaves.

• *identify all the approximately 20,000 – 25,000 genes in human DNA,

• *determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA,

• *store this information in databases,• *improve tools for data analysis,• *transfer related technologies to the private

sector, and• *address the ethical, legal, and social issues

(ELSI) that may arise from the project.

What's a _______________?

• The particular order of As, Ts, Cs, and Gs is extremely important. The order underlies all of life's diversity, even dictating whether an organism is human or another species such as yeast, rice, or fruit fly, all of which have their own genomes and are themselves the focus of genome projects.

• Because all organisms are related through similarities in DNA sequences, insights gained from nonhuman genomes often lead to new knowledge about human biology.

SLAUGHTER, Louise McIntosh, a Representative from New York;

Over the past 13 years she has repeatedly tried to get Congress to adopt legislation to prevent the abuse of an individual's genetic information by insurers or other third parties.

On April 24th , 2008 the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA) unanimously passed the Senate. And this week it was also expected to sail through the House of Representatives, which last year passed a similar bill by a vote of 420 to three. President George Bush has promised to sign it.

• The good news is that GINA will help protect health data from prying eyes. The bill will prevent companies from using genetic information in deciding whether to employ someone. It will also forbid insurers from discriminating against individuals because of genetic proclivities.

• The bad news is that GINA does not go nearly far enough. Conventional health insurance is covered by the bill, for example, but not life insurance or “long-term care” insurance. And health is not the only area where genetic privacy is under assault.

• Californian officials have announced a dramatic expansion of the state's use of “_______________”. This controversial practice, pioneered by Britain, allows officials to pursue a suspect by examining any DNA of his relatives already found on official databases, even if those relatives are not suspected of the crime in question.

• The American Civil Liberties Union calls this a “dramatic expansion of police power” that will unfairly target minority groups for surveillance, since blacks are already grossly over-represented on the criminal database.

• Kathy Hudson, of the Genetics and Public Policy Centre (GPPC), points to another potential pitfall:– Studies show that many mothers lie to their

partners about the paternity of their children. She worries that the inspector's knock on the door could reveal secrets that may tear families needlessly apart. GINA may have arrived, but the battle for genetic privacy goes on.

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Fairness in the use of genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military, among others.

•

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information.

•

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Psychological impact and stigmatization due to an individual's genetic differences.

• How does personal genetic information affect an individual and society's perceptions of that individual?

• _____________________________________________________________

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Reproductive issues including adequate informed consent for complex and potentially controversial procedures, use of genetic information in reproductive decision making, and reproductive rights.

• Do healthcare personnel properly counsel parents about the risks and limitations of genetic technology?

• ________________________________________• What are the larger societal issues raised by new

reproductive technologies?

Ethical, Legal, and Social IssuesClinical issues including the education of doctors and

other health service providers, patients, and the general public in genetic capabilities, scientific limitations, and social risks; and implementation of standards and quality-control measures in testing procedures.

• How will genetic tests be evaluated and regulated for accuracy, reliability, and utility? (Currently, there is little regulation at the federal level.)

• How do we prepare healthcare professionals for the new genetics?• _______________________________________________________• How do we as a society balance current scientific limitations and

social risk with long-term benefits?

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Uncertainties associated with gene tests for susceptibilities and complex conditions (e.g., heart disease) linked to multiple genes and gene-environment interactions.

• Should testing be performed when no treatment is available?

• Should parents have the right to have their minor children tested for adult-onset diseases?

• _______________________________________?

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Conceptual and philosophical implications regarding human responsibility, free will vs. genetic determinism, and concepts of health and disease.

• Do people's genes make them behave in a particular way?

• Can people always control their behavior?• What is considered acceptable diversity?• _______________________________________

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Health and environmental issues concerning genetically modified foods (GM) and microbes.

• ____________________________________________________________________________

• How will these technologies affect developing nations' dependence on the West?

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Commercialization of products including property rights (patents, copyrights, and trade secrets) and accessibility of data and materials.

• Who owns genes and other pieces of DNA?• Will patenting DNA sequences limit their

accessibility and development into useful products?