Mutations can alter the function of an operon. Predict how mutation of the Promoter (so that it is no longer recognized by RNA polymerase) in the presence of lactose?
If there is mutation in lac promoter, then there will be no binding of RNA polymerase and hence no transcription of lac genes will occur. Also even lactose is present in medium it will not be able to activate transcription. This is beacuse mutations in the lac promoter are cis-acting. cis-acting mutations are in DNA sequences that function as binding sites for proteins that control the expression of nearby genes.Similarly, mutations in the lac promoter are cis-acting, since they alter the binding site for RNA polymerase. When RNA polymerase cannot initiate transcription of the lac operon, none of the genes in the operon can be expressed irrespective of the function of the repressor.
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