Mutations not altering the symmetrical sequences in the trp operator yield a constitutive phenotype.

An E. coli trp promoter operator mutant was constructed, having two base pair alterations at position -4 and -1 relative to the transcription initiation site (+1). Expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene under this trp promoter operator suggests that it is almost fully constitutive. This trp Oc in vitro derived mutant differs from previously isolated Oc mutants in that its twofold symmetry sequence is identical to that of the wild type trp operator. The base substitution in the operator does not affect the functionality of the trp promoter. The trp Oc promoter DNA fragment is engineered so that it can be manipulated conveniently for efficient expression of various genes in E. coli.