Hilla Locker-Giladi

Utilization of λ Control Elements for Gene Expression Studies in Escherichia Coli

A family of plasmids designed for studying gene expression in bacteria is described. The system employs λ regulatory elements. Transcription is regulated by the thermolabile cI repressor. Transcription termination signals can be introduced between the λ PL promoter and several structural genes. This system permits qualitative and quantitative studies of termination signals.

Expression of Cloned Genes Under Phage λ Control

A system for the synthesis of specific gene products in E. coli is described. Genes cloned in phage lambda were shown to direct extensive synthesis on infection of a nus A host. Expression levels were higher than those reached with available plasmid expression vectors. The elevated level of gene expression is due in part to gene amplification. Of special interest is the fact that protein synthesis is confined to the cloned gene. Other lambda proteins do not accumulate under these conditions.