gene regulation Flashcards
Activator protein
A protein coded for by a regulatory gene that increases gene expression.
Conformational change
A change in the three-dimensional shape of macromolecules such as proteins.
Gene regulation
Any mechanism that acts to increase or decrease the production of specific gene products (DNA or RNA) in the cell.
Operator
A short region of DNA that interacts with repressor proteins to alter the transcription of an operon.
Operon
A cluster of linked genes that all share a common promoter and operator and are transcribed at the same time.
Regulatory gene
A segment of DNA responsible for producing proteins that control the expression of other genes.
Repressor protein
A protein coded for by a regulatory gene that prevents gene expression by binding to its operator.
Structural gene
A segment of DNA that doesn’t code for regulatory proteins, but instead codes for proteins that play a role in the structure or function of a cell or organism.
Tertiary structure - proteins
A laboratory apparatus which alters the temperature in pre-programmed steps for temperature-sensitive reactions like PCR.