Gene Regulation in Bacteria

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to gene regulation in bacteria.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, usually proteins.

Regulatory Protein

A protein that influences the transcription of a gene by binding to an operator or promoter.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process in which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the mRNA sequence.

Posttranslational Modification

The chemical modifications made to a protein after its translation, influencing its activity.

Inducible Genes

Genes whose expression can be turned on in response to an inducer.

Repressible Genes

Genes whose expression can be turned off in response to a corepressor.

Lac Operon

A set of genes in E. coli that are involved in lactose metabolism, consisting of structural genes lacZ, lacY, and lacA.

Repressor Protein

A protein that suppresses the transcription of a gene.

Attenuation

A regulatory mechanism where transcription is prematurely terminated.

Allolactose

An isomer of lactose that binds to the lac repressor, preventing it from inhibiting transcription.

cAMP (Cyclic AMP)

A molecule that serves as a signaling molecule in bacteria, particularly in catabolite repression.

Catabolite Repression

A regulatory mechanism where the presence of a preferred energy source inhibits the use of other sources.

Feedback Inhibition

A metabolic control mechanism whereby the end product of a pathway inhibits an upstream process.

Shine-Dalgarno Sequence

A ribosomal binding site in mRNA, crucial for the initiation of translation.

Transcriptional Regulators (Activators and Repressors)

Proteins that increase (activators) or decrease (repressors) transcription of genes.