Twenty-five years ago, when Oshima and colleagues discovered that a mutation in the GAL4 gene led to the inability to synthesize all five enzymes required for galactose catabolism (breakdown), they couldn't be blamed for wanting to apply a bacterial model to explain this finding. What they expected, but did not find, was ________.
A) that all five genes constitute an operon
B) five widely separated genes, each containing a GAL4-binding site in its regulatory region
C) that chromatin decondensation played an important role in regulating the genes of galactose catabolism
D) that transcription is important in regulating the genes of galactose catabolism

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oshima and colleagues likely expected the genes for galactose catabolism to be organized in an operon, a concept derived from bacterial genetics, where genes involved in a pathway are clustered together and regulated collectively. This expectation was based on their discovery related to the GAL4 gene's role in the synthesis of enzymes for galactose breakdown.

Twenty-Five Years Ago, When Oshima and Colleagues Discovered That a Mutation