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Bacteria
The
lacI
gene
codes
for the lac
repressor – a
homo-dimer
The lac repressor binds tightly to the operator region within the lac operon, which is found
upstream of the 3 genes involved in lactose metabolism
The repressor binds DNA as a homodimer, at 2 locations (once on each strand)
There is a palindromic sequence centred at +11
Each homodimer binds either side of this on a different strand
The key repressor binding sequence (O1) overlaps with the transcription start site
o So repressor binding blocks transcription – RNAP cant bind to promoter
o RNAP and repressor cannot bind at the same time
If lactose binds to the repressor, it can no longer bind to the operator, which allows RNAP to
transcribe the gene
The repressor will bind to the main operator region O 1 (+11) and to one of two ancillary operators
Lecture 18 [Page 1]
Molecular Biology II Transcription Regulation in
Bacteria
O2 – Inside the transcribed region. Acts as an additional roadblock to prevent RNAP from
transcribing the lac operon, centred around position +412
O3 – Upstream. -82
All 3 operators are required for effective repression. This was studied by removing an operator in
an organism then studying the levels of repression. Removing O 1 has the most substantial effect –
a 1000 fold decrease in repression.
Transcription Termination:
Important to terminate
Reduces energy waste
Prevents read-through into adjacent genes
Prevents RNAPs crashing into one another (not all genes are transcribed in the same
)
Lecture 18 [Page 2]
Molecular Biology II Transcription Regulation in
Bacteria
Not definable by a simple consensus sequence, rho recognises sequence features and structural
features instead
Rho mediates transcript release at a DNA sequence where the transcription complex is too stable
for spontaneous release
Lecture 18 [Page 3]
Molecular Biology II Transcription Regulation in
Bacteria
Lecture 18 [Page 4]
Molecular Biology II Transcription Regulation in
Bacteria
Lecture 18 [Page 5]