Biochemical Pathways: Understanding Gene Mutations and Enzyme Catalysis
Explore the intricate world of biochemical pathways, from genes to enzymes to essential life products. Learn how mutations impact growth and identify the steps in a pathway using mutants. Discover the crucial role of each gene in catalyzing specific biochemical reactions.
Biochemical Pathways: Understanding Gene Mutations and Enzyme Catalysis
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Presentation Transcript
Pathways Gene A Gene B Enzyme A Enzyme B Substrate ------- intermediate ------ product Most often the final product of the biochemical pathway is something essential to life, like amino acids, nucleotides, etc.
Pathways • One-gene-one-enzyme hypothesis • George Beadle and Edward Tatum • Neurospora
Pathways • Wild typeNeurospora (all genes intact), will grow on minimal media of mineral salts, glucose and biotin • Has all the genes to make all the proteins to make everything the beasty needs to live and survive
Pathways • Auxotrophs (mutation in one or more genes), will not grow on minimal media of mineral salts, glucose and biotin • Will grow on minimal media only if supplemented with one or more specific nutrients that it cannot make
Pathways Gene A Gene B Enzyme A Enzyme B Substrate ------- intermediate ------ product Most often the final product of the biochemical pathway is something essential to life, like amino acids, nucleotides, etc.
Pathways Gene A Mutant Gene B Enzyme A No Enzyme B Substrate ------- intermediate No Product Can use mutants to work out pathways, and identify which gene catalyzes which step
substrate + = growth - = no growth No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 ornithine citrulline arginine
No. 4 cysteine No. 5 homoserine Unknown Pathway 1 3 2 4 4 No. 2 No. 3 No. 1 cystathionine homocysteine methionine