Prokaryotic Gene Regulation

Lac Operon

A genetic system that controls the metabolism of lactose in bacteria.

Positive Regulation

Regulation that increases gene expression in the presence of an effector.

Negative Regulation

Regulation that decreases gene expression in the presence of a repressor.

Attenuation

A process that reduces the production of mRNA after transcription has started.

Jacob and Monod

Scientists known for their experiments that elucidated the mechanisms of the lac operon.

Polycistronic mRNA

A single mRNA that contains multiple genes, typically found in prokaryotic operons.

Allosteric Effectors

Molecules that bind to proteins and cause conformational changes, affecting protein activity.

cAMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a molecule that regulates gene expression in response to glucose levels.

Trp Operon

A set of genes involved in the biosynthesis of tryptophan in bacteria.

Leader Sequence

A segment of mRNA that helps regulate the expression of the trp operon.

Super Repressor (Is)

A mutation in the I gene that leads to constant repression of the lac operon.

Operator Mutation

A change in the operator region of an operon that affects gene transcription.

Repressor Protein

A protein that binds to the operator region of an operon to inhibit transcription.

Regulatory Sequences

DNA sequences that control the expression of genes, including promoters and operators.

Glucose Control

Mechanisms by which glucose levels influence the expression of the lac operon.

Attenuator Region

A regulatory sequence in the trp operon that controls transcription termination.