Why use cDNA to express a human gene in bacteria?
To express a human gene in bacteria, researchers insert its cDNA rather than its genomic DNA because:
Answer B: explanation for every choice
A
cDNA comes from mRNA and does not include the promoter. The construct must supply a bacterial promoter.
B
Correct. cDNA is made by reverse transcriptase from mature mRNA, so it has no introns. Bacteria lack spliceosomes.
C
The genetic code is nearly universal, so bacteria translate human codons correctly.
D
Restriction enzymes cut genomic DNA readily.
TakeawaycDNA comes from mature mRNA, so it lacks introns.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID bb50.