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Regulation of transcription
o In prokaryotes
mRNA typically includes several genes in a single
transcript
Jacob-Monod model
Operon = operator + promoter + genes
contributing to single prokaryotic mRNA
o Genes outside of operon may code for
activators/repressors
Lac operon in e. coli
o Codes for enzymes that allow e. coli to
import & metabolize lactose when
glucose is nor present in sufficient
quantities
o Activated when glucose is scarce and
lactose is present
o Mechanism: (38-39)
Low glucose levels -> high cAMP
levels
cAMP activates CAP
CAP binds to CAP site adjacent to
promoter on lac operon
Positive control: CAP activates
promotor
Gene repression: when lactose not
present, lack repressor protein
binds to operator, prevents
expression of lac genes
o In eukaryotes
mRNA includes only 1 gene per transcript
modification of RNA
o post-transcriptional modifications offur in both eukaryotic
and prokaryotic cells
eukaryotes: only in nucleus
bacterial genome does not contain introns
o purpose of modifications:
help molecules that initiate translation to recognize
the mRNA
protect mRNA from degradation
eliminate extraneous sequences of nucleotides from
the transcript before translation