Biochemistry 2280A Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Lac Operon, Lac Repressor, Regulatory Sequence
Document Summary
Gene expression: genes selectively direct the synthesis of many proteins and. For most genes, the control of transcription is key. Only transcriptional control can ensure that no unnecessary intermediates are synthesized. All genes, both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, have regulatory dna sequences that are used to switch the genes on or off. These genes are reorganized by proteins called transcription regulators: transcriptional regulators bind to regulatory dna sequence that acts as the switch to control transcription. The surface of these proteins fit tightly against the surface of the dna double helix in that region. Proteins, usually dimers, insert into the major groove of the dna helix and make a series of intimate molecular contacts with the nucleotide pairs within the groove. Operons: the cluster in which genes are arranged in a chromosome transcribed on a single promoter. Operator: the short sequence in the operons promoter that binds regulatory proteins. External signals affect the gene expression of a cell such as hormones.