The bacteriophage ϕX174 has a single-stranded DNA genome of 5386 bases. During DNA replication, double-stranded forms of the genome are generated. In an effort to create a restriction map of ϕX174, you digest the z-stranded form of the genome with several restriction enzymes and obtain the following results. Draw a map of the ϕX174 genome.
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools
Genetic Cloning
Problem 19b
Textbook Question
We designed a screen to identify conditional mutants of S. cerevisiae in which the secretory system was defective. Suppose we were successful in identifying 12 mutants.
Based on your knowledge of the genetic tools for studying baker's yeast, how would you clone the genes that are mutated in your respective yeast strains? What is an approach to cloning the human orthologs of the yeast genes?

1
Step 1: Begin by isolating the yeast strains with the identified mutations. Use selective media or temperature-sensitive conditions to ensure that only the mutant strains grow under the conditional environment.
Step 2: Perform complementation analysis to determine if the mutations are in the same gene or different genes. This involves introducing wild-type yeast genes into the mutant strains and observing whether the secretory defect is rescued.
Step 3: Use a yeast genomic library to clone the mutated genes. Transform the mutant yeast strains with plasmids containing fragments of the wild-type yeast genome and identify the plasmid that rescues the defect. This plasmid will contain the wild-type version of the mutated gene.
Step 4: Sequence the rescued gene to identify its nucleotide sequence. Compare this sequence to the yeast genome database to confirm the identity of the gene and its function in the secretory pathway.
Step 5: To clone the human orthologs of the yeast genes, use sequence homology analysis. Search human genome databases for genes with significant sequence similarity to the yeast gene. Once identified, clone the human ortholog using PCR or other molecular cloning techniques, and validate its function through expression studies in yeast or human cell lines.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Gene Cloning Techniques
Gene cloning involves isolating and amplifying a specific gene of interest. Common techniques include using restriction enzymes to cut DNA, ligating the gene into a vector, and transforming the vector into host cells, such as bacteria or yeast. This allows for the replication and study of the gene, facilitating the identification of mutations in the yeast strains.
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Conditional Mutants
Conditional mutants are organisms that exhibit a mutant phenotype only under certain environmental conditions, such as temperature or nutrient availability. In the context of S. cerevisiae, these mutants can help identify essential genes involved in specific cellular processes, like the secretory system, by allowing researchers to observe the effects of mutations under controlled conditions.
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Orthologs and Functional Conservation
Orthologs are genes in different species that evolved from a common ancestral gene and typically retain the same function. Cloning human orthologs of yeast genes involves identifying these conserved genes through sequence similarity and functional studies, which can provide insights into gene function and disease mechanisms in humans based on findings from yeast models.
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