Scribd
Upload
314 views1 page

Lac Operon Assignment

The lacI gene encodes a repressor protein that binds to the lac operon and prevents RNA polymerase from binding, thereby repressing expression of β-galactosidase. In the presence of lactose, β-galactosidase converts lactose to allolactose, which binds the repressor and causes a conformational change preventing it from binding the operon. This allows RNA polymerase to bind and express the lac genes. The lacY gene encodes a permease that transports lactose into the cell. cAMP levels regulate lac operon expression depending on glucose levels - high glucose means low cAMP and low lac expression.

Uploaded by

Qum Ar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
314 views1 page

Lac Operon Assignment

The lacI gene encodes a repressor protein that binds to the lac operon and prevents RNA polymerase from binding, thereby repressing expression of β-galactosidase. In the presence of lactose, β-galactosidase converts lactose to allolactose, which binds the repressor and causes a conformational change preventing it from binding the operon. This allows RNA polymerase to bind and express the lac genes. The lacY gene encodes a permease that transports lactose into the cell. cAMP levels regulate lac operon expression depending on glucose levels - high glucose means low cAMP and low lac expression.

Uploaded by

Qum Ar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

2. What role does the lacI gene product play in expression of β-galacatosidase?

 The protein product of the lacI gene is a negative repressor of the lac operon. The lacI
message is constitutively expressed from its own promoter. The repressor protein is a
homotetramer composed of 4 lacI proteins which binds to the operator sequence, located
between the promoter and the start site of transcription. This prevents the binding of the
RNA polymerase.
3. How does the lac repressor prevent binding of RNA polymerase?
 Initially a dimer is formed, and, in the absence of lactose, it binds to the operator region
of the operon. There are 3 binding sites for the dimer to bind: one main operator site and
two auxiliary sites. If two of these sites are occupied, the DNA is looped such that the
dimers can form a tetramer. This bend of the DNA prevents the binding of the RNA
polymerase.
4. What role does β-galactosidase play in regulation of the lac operon?
 In the presence of lactose, β- galactosidase transforms a small amount of lactose into
allolactose. Allolactose binds to the repressor, inducing a change in the conformation of
the repressor such that it can no longer bind to the operator sequences.
5. What is the purpose of the lacY gene product?
 lacY gene encodes the permease which transports the lactose into the cell.
6. Define basal level of gene expression.
 Minimal level of gene expression that occurs even when transcription does not occur.
7. What role does cAMP play is lactose metabolism and how is it regulated?
 Cytosolic cAMP binds to the catabolite activator protein (CAP) which is sometimes
referred to as cAMP- receptor protein (CRP). Activated CAP (CAP with cAMP bound)
binds to the CAP site and recruits the RNA polymerase. The amount of cAMP and
transcription of lac operon are INVERSELY related to the amount of glucose present
 Glucose ↑ = cAMP ↓ = lacZ mRNA ↓
 Glucose ↓ = cAMP ↑ = lacZ mRNA ↑
 In the presence of glucose and lactose, the lac repressor binds lactose and undergoes a
conformational change, so that it does not bind to the lac operator. However, cAMP is
low, because glucose is present, and thus cAMP-CAP does not bind to the CAP site in the
operator. As a result, RNA polymerase does not bind efficiently to the lac promoter and
only a little lac mRNA is synthesized. In the presence of lactose and the absence of
glucose, maximal transcription of the lac operon occurs. In this situation, the lac
repressor does not bind to the lac operator, the concentration of cAMP increases, and the
cAMP-CAP complex that forms binds at the CAP site, stimulating binding and initiation
by RNA polymerase.

8. How can a small metabolite, such as a purine, regulate expression of a gene and what
would role would that gene product most likely perform within the cell?
 Since it’s a small metabolite it will regulate expression by entering the cell.

You might also like