Question

Does human DNA possess operons?

Answer 1

Answer:

Operons (clusters of co-regulated genes with related functions) are a well-known feature of prokaryotic genomes. Polycistronic transcription is a characteristic of bacteria and archaea, where many of the genes are clustered in operons composed of two to more genes.

The genes of eukaryotes (including humans) are generally considered to be monocistronic, each with its own promoter at the 5' end and a transcription terminator at the 3' end. However, it has recently become clear that not all eukaryotic genes are transcribed monocistronically. Functional gene clustering also occurs in eukaryotes, from yeasts to filamentous fungi, mammals, nematodes, and plants.

These gene clusters therefore represent functional gene organizations with operon-like features, although the genes are not usually transcribed as a single mRNA as is the case in prokaryotes. Like bacterial operons, eukaryotic operons often result in co-expression of functionally related proteins.

Thus, human DNA possess operon like properties but not the ideal operon system present in prokaryotes.