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 Promoter
a region of DNA upstream of a gene where relevant proteins (such as RNA
polymerase and transcription factors) bind to initiate transcription of that
gene. The resulting transcription produces an RNA molecule (such as
mRNA).
 OPORETO
R contain the code necessary to begin the process of transcribing the
Operator genes
DNA message of one or more structural genes into mRNA

STRUCTURAL GENE
Structural genes are the genes that code for proteins and RNAs except regulatory
factors. The products include structural proteins and enzymes. Structural genes also
encode for non-coding RNAs such as the tRNAs and rRNAs.
 A repressible operon is a type of
operon in which the transcription of
the gene is repressed by the presence
of a particular substance. It is
regulated by a co-repressor i.e.,
mainly the end product of the
metabolic pathway.
Eg- Trp Operon
An inducible operon is one whose
expression increases
quantitatively in response to an
enhancer, an inducer, or a
positive regulator.
Eg-Lac Operon
 Amino acids are required for bacteria like E. coli to live. E. coli can absorb tryptophan,
an amino acid found in the environment. Using enzymes produced by five genes, E. coli
can also manufacture tryptophan. The tryptophan (trp) operon is encoded with five
genes. If tryptophan is already available in the environment, E. coli does not need to
generate it, and the switch regulating the trp operon’s gene activity is turned off. When
tryptophan levels are low, the operon’s control switch is activated, transcription begins,
the genes are expressed in prokaryotes, and tryptophan is produced. Here, the
tryptophan itself acts as a repressor
 Between the first trp coding gene and promoter region, a DNA sequence known as the
operator sequence is encoded. The code of DNA to which the repressor protein can
bind is included in this operator. The tryptophan is there in the cell; 2 tryptophan
molecules connect to the trp repressor, altering the form to bind to the trp operator.
The tryptophan–repressor complex physically stops the RNA polymerase from joining
and transcribing the downstream genes when it binds to the operator.Because the
repressor doesn’t bind to the operator when tryptophan is absent in the cell, the
operon becomes active, and tryptophan is produced. As a result, the top operon is
regulated negatively. In addition, the proteins that bind to the operator to quiet trp
production are negative (-ve) regulators since the repressor protein actively attaches to
it to keep the genes switched off.
 Transcriptional operons, which have proteins that bind to repress or activate
transcription, which depends on the local environment and the cell’s demands, are the
third form of gene regulation in prokaryotes organisms. As previously indicated, when
glucose concentrations are low, E. coli can use other sugars as energy sources. The
cAMP–CAP protein complex works as the positive regulator for inducing transcription in
this approach. One such sugar source is lactose. The lac operon includes the genes
necessary for obtaining and digesting lactose from the environment.
 However, two criteria must be satisfied for the lac operon to be active. First and
foremost, the glucose level must be extremely low or non-existent. Lactose, on the
other hand, is required. The lac operon is only transcribed when lactose is present and
glucose is absent. This makes sense for the cell since creating the proteins to digest
lactose would be energy inefficient if glucose was abundant or lactose was unavailable.
 When Glucose is present and lactose is absent, the cAMP levels are low, leaving the
activator CAP inactive. Hence, there’s no binding of the RNA polymerase and no
transcription as well
When both glucose and lactose are present, the CAP activator remains inactive, and the
lac repressor isn’t functional as lactose, an inducer is present. Hence, basal level
transcription occurs
When glucose and lactose are absent, the CAP activator is high as cAMP is also present.
Yet, the lac repressor is functional and hence prevents transcription
When glucose is absent and lactose is present, cAMP levels are high, leading to the
active binding of CAP and RNA polymerase. The lac repressor is inactive since lactose
and an inducer is present. Hence, effective transcription occurs
 In conclusion, the operon model has been a fundamental concept in molecular
genetics, shedding light on the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic organisms.
It has not only contributed to our knowledge of basic biological processes but also
served as a valuable experimental model for studying gene regulation in diverse
organisms.