Control of

Prokaryotic (Bacterial) Genes

AP Biology

2007-2008

Evolution of gene regulation

Prokaryotes
single-celled
evolved to grow & divide rapidly
must respond quickly to changes in
external environment

exploit transient resources

Gene regulation

turn genes on & off rapidly

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flexibility & reversibility

adjust levels of enzymes

for synthesis & digestion

Prokaryotic Gene Control

Bacteria need to respond quickly to changes

in their environment
Transcription and translation happen
simultaneouslythey are coupled!

Transcription is what is regulated.

Lack of nucleus makes this very efficient!

http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/00729
95246/student_view0/chapter7/the_trp_operon
.html

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Prokaryotic Control of Metabolism

Gene regulation

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instead of blocking
enzyme function,
block transcription
of genes for all
enzymes in
tryptophan pathway
saves energy by
not wasting it on
unnecessary
protein synthesis
Now, thats a
good idea from a
lowly bacterium!

= inhibition

Gene regulation in bacteria

Cells vary amount of specific enzymes

by regulating gene transcription

turn genes on or turn genes off

turn genes OFF example

if bacterium has enough tryptophan then it
STOP doesnt need to make enzymes used to build
tryptophan
turn genes ON example
if bacterium encounters new sugar (energy
GO source), like lactose, then it needs to start
making enzymes used to digest lactose

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Bacteria group genes together

Operon

genes grouped together with related functions

example: all enzymes in a metabolic pathway

Two types: INDUCIBLE and REPRESSIBLE

Structures of an Operon

promoter = RNA polymerase binding site

single promoter controls transcription of all genes in

operon
transcribed as one unit & a single mRNA is made

operator = DNA binding site of repressor protein

https://highered.mheducation.com/sites/9834092339/stu
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Operon model
Operon:
operator, promoter & genes they control
serve as a model for gene regulation

RNA
polymerase

RNA repressor
polymerase

gene1

gene2

gene3

gene4

enzyme1

enzyme2

enzyme3

enzyme4

mRNA

promoter

DNA

operator

Repressor protein turns off gene by

blocking
AP BiologyRNA polymerase binding site.

repressor

= repressor protein

Repressible operon: tryptophan

Synthesis pathway model
When excess tryptophan is present,
it binds to tryp repressor protein &
triggers repressor to bind to DNA

RNA
polymerase

RNA
trp repressor
polymerase

gene1

gene2

gene3

gene4

enzyme1

enzyme2

enzyme3

enzyme4

mRNA

promoter

blocks (represses) transcription

operator

DNA
trp
trp
trp

repressor

repressor protein

trp
trp
trp
trp

trp
trp

conformational change in
AP Biologyprotein!
repressor

trp

repressor

tryptophan

trp

tryptophan repressor protein

complex

Tryptophan operon
What happens when tryptophan is present?
Dont need to make tryptophan-building enzymes

Tryptophan
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is allosteric regulator of repressor protein

Inducible operon: lactose

lac
lac

RNA
polymerase

lac

Digestive pathway model

lac

When lactose is present, binds to

lac repressor protein & triggers
repressor to release DNA

lac
lac
lac

RNAlac repressor
polymerase

induces transcription

gene1

gene2

gene3

gene4

enzyme1

enzyme2

enzyme3

enzyme4

mRNA

promoter

operator

repressor
lac

conformational change in
AP Biologyprotein!
repressor

lac

repressor

DNA

repressor protein
lactose
lactose repressor protein
complex

Lactose operon
What happens when lactose is present?
Need to make lactose-digesting enzymes

Lactose is allosteric regulator of repressor protein

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Up Regulation increase the rate!

Ex: CAP/cAMP system

When lactose is present
and glucose is low:
cAMP is high
cAMP activates
Catabolite Activator
Protein (CAP)
Increases the rate of
transcription by
100x!

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Operon summary

Repressible operon

usually functions in anabolic pathways

synthesizing end products

When end product is present in excess,

cell allocates resources to other uses.

Inducible operon

usually functions in catabolic pathways

produce enzymes only when nutrient is

available

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digesting nutrients to simpler molecules

Cell avoids making proteins that have nothing to do.

Cell allocates resources to other uses.

1961 | 1965

Jacob & Monod: lac Operon

Francois Jacob & Jacques Monod

first to describe operon system
coined the phrase operon

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Jacques Monod

Francois Jacob

Dont be repressed!
How can I induce you
to ask Questions?

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