GENETIC CONTROL OF INDUCTION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE SYNTHESIS IN E. COLI

Abstract

Certain mutations in the R1 regulatory gene for alkaline phosphatase completely prevent enzyme synthesis despite the presence of a normal P+ structural gene. An F[image] heterozygous strain that carries this mutation on the chromosome and a P" mutation on the episome (R1+ P-/R1- P+) produces a normal level of enzyme. This observation supports the proposal that the Rl gene specifies the formation of an endogenous inducer required for alkaline phosphatase synthesis. The inducer appears to function also as the precursor of a re-pressor for alkaline phosphatase.