What is the trp1-289 mutation in the INVSc1 strain?
The trp1-289 mutation is a point mutation in the TRP-1 gene that causes this strain to be auxotrophic for tryptophan (i.e., tryptophan is required in growth media for this strain). There are many vectors that contain a wild-type copy of the TRP1 gene that will complement the trp1-289 mutant phenotype and can therefore be used as a selectable marker for such vectors. The phenotype of a trp1-289 mutant and a trp1 complete deletion mutant are similar, but strains with the trp1 complete deletion, unlike trp1-289, will not induce well with galactose. Therefore, when galactose induction is used, it is better to use a trp1-289 mutant. However, since trp1-289 mutants revert with a detectable frequency, it is important to verify your clones.