Final answer:
Yes, a human gene sequence can be transcribed and translated in an E. coli cell if linked with a bacterial promoter. This is a standard technique in biotechnology for protein production because the genetic code is nearly universal, allowing E. coli to produce human proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can a human gene sequence be transcribed and translated inside an E. coli cell if it has a functional promoter sequence? The answer is yes, the bacterium would transcribe the eukaryotic gene, assuming it has been provided with the appropriate promoter sequence that is recognized by the bacterial transcription machinery. This process is frequently utilized in biotechnology to produce proteins of interest using bacterial systems.
However, it's important to note that eukaryotic promoters generally do not function in E. coli. To overcome this, a human gene must be linked to a bacterial promoter that is recognized by the E. coli RNA polymerase and its associated sigma factors to achieve transcription.
Once transcribed, the mRNA can then be translated into the corresponding protein using the E. coli translation machinery. This is possible because the genetic code is universal, meaning that codons specify the same amino acids in almost all organisms. Hence, the E. coli ribosomes can synthesize proteins based on the human mRNA transcript.