Plasmid pBR322 has PstI restriction enzyme site within gene amp that confers ampicillin resistance. If this enzyme is used for inserting a gene for Beta-galactosidase production and the recombinant plasmid is inserted in an E.coli strain

Options

A. The transformed cells will have the ability to resist ampicillin as well as produce `beta`- galactoside
B. It will lead to lysis of host cell
C. It will be able to produce a novel protein with dual ability
D. It will not be able to confer ampicillin resistance to the host cell

Answer

D

Explanation

pBR322 is a commonly used cloning vector. Since the gene for`beta` − galactoside is inserted at Pst I of `"amp"^(R)` region of pBR322, the recombinant E. coli will lose ampicillin resistance due to insertional inactivation of the antibiotic resistance gene. Hence the genetically modified E. coli strain will not be able to confer ampicillin resistance.