145lec13F21

Repression

The process that inhibits gene expression, typically by a repressor protein binding to DNA.

Induction

The process by which a set of genes is turned on by the presence of an inducer.

Lac operon

A cluster of genes (lacZYA) regulated together, involved in lactose metabolism, controlled by the presence or absence of lactose.

Arabinose operon

Operon that uses both positive and negative control mechanisms; regulated by AraC protein and influenced by the presence of arabinose.

Trp operon

Operon responsible for synthesizing tryptophan, which is repressed when tryptophan is abundant.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Enhancers/Activators

Proteins that bind to regulatory regions to facilitate transcription by making promoter sequences more accessible to RNA polymerase.

Catabolite repression

A regulatory mechanism where the presence of preferred substrates (e.g. glucose) inhibits alternative substrate utilization (e.g. lactose).

Operon

A set of contiguous genes in the genome that are coordinately regulated to encode functional proteins or enzymes.

Repressor protein

A protein that binds to DNA to prevent transcription of specific genes.