Douglas Kell wrote:
>>> If we add to that that it is one of the few
>> enzymes we can imagine life carrying on quite happily without,
>> then...
>>Depending on one's definition of 'few' I wouldn't agree with that. In
>the post-genomic, serial gene-knockout program in baker's yeast (where you
>can tell by tetrad analysis) about 1 in 6 gene products are essential to the
>life of that cell (their deletion is lethal) in all conditions tested. A
>reasonable fraction of these are enzymes (However, I haven't yet analysed
>how the the %age of genes whose deletion is lethal varies by TYPE of gene
>product).
You're right, of course. Mine was a pre-MCA remark. No excuse, but it
illustrates how difficult it is to rid oneself of ideas acquired before the
enlightenment.
Athel
