Conversation Starters1. Typically, a single gene codes for _____.

2. What do you think might be the function of a “repressor” protein?

3. How does RNA polymerase know where to start transcription?

4. What is lactose?

Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes: Operons

Modified with permission from a powerpoint originally from Mrs. Jenn Boyd, Westlake High School

I. Prokaryotic Gene RegulationA. What is gene regulation?

1. Gene regulation: ability of an organism to control which genes are transcribed in response to the environment.

B. Why is regulating genes important?1. Consider: Why would you want to make certain enzymes only at

certain times? What benefit is there to doing that?

2. Maximize energy usage!

I. Prokaryotic Gene RegulationC. How do prokaryotes regulate which genes are expressed?

1. Operon: section of DNA that contains the genes for proteins needed for a specific metabolic pathway.

NOTE: Operons are in prokaryotes only!!!! What is a prokaryote? Example?

II. The Lac OperonA. History of Discovery:

1. Jacob and Monod discovered how genes controlled the break down of lactose in E.coli.

2. Jacob and Monod noticed: lactose stimulates E.coli to produce 3 enzymes only when lactose is around.

3. How did this happen?! The E.coli controls the production of these 3 enzymes that are made from

3 genes located right next to each other on the DNA.

B. Operon Structure:a. Each gene codes for one enzyme.

What type of macromolecule is an enzyme? (carb, lipid, nucleic acid, protein?)

These 3 genes code for enzymes that help break down lactose.

LacII

II. The Lac Operon

b. Promoter : DNA segment that RNA polymerase binds to in order to start transcription.

c. Operator : DNA segment that serves as a binding site for a repressor protein.

LacII

C. Baseline: No lactose present – Operon = RepressedRepressor proteins block transcription and prevents

protein synthesis from occurring by binding to an operator (binding site).

Repressor protein binds to the operator and blocks RNA polymerase from transcribing the 3 genes.

LacI

LacI region codes for the repressor protein.

(continually expressed at a low rate)

II. The Lac Operon

b. A promoter is a DNA segment that binds to RNA polymerase and promotes transcription.

c. An operator is a DNA segment that serves as a binding site for a repressor protein.

Repressor protein

LacI

RNA polymerase

I

II. The Lac Operon

1. When lactose is present : lactose binds to repressor proteins, changes shape of repressor protein

Repressor unable to bind to the operator.

2. If the repressor cannot bind: RNA polymerase can transcribe all three genes of the lac operon.

mRNA

Lactose is an inducer molecule because it changes the shape of the repressor to induce transcription

II. The Lac OperonD. Lactose Present: Transcription!

1. When lactose is present, some of the lactose molecules bind to what?

2. When lactose is present, is the lac operon activated? (Y/N)

3. When lactose is absent, what binds to the operator?

4. When lactose is absent, is the lac operon activated? (Y/N)

Repressor Molecule Operator

Repressor + lactose no binding to operator

RNA polymerase Promoter

QUICK CHECK

1. inducible operon: usually OFF unless it is induced (turned on) by specific molecules

2. QUICK CHECK: What is the “inducer”?

II. The Lac OperonE. Inducible Operon

Check for Understanding:1. T/F. The repressor and promoter regions of prokaryotic operons are on the same chromosome.

2. What protein binds to the promoter in prokaryotes? What protein binds to the operator?

3. An inducer inactivates the repressor. What is the inducer in the lac operon?

Modeling Gene Regulation: Lac Operon

Working in groups.

You will need me to sign your class note sheet when you show me the operons in motion with the puffballs.

Notes with a stamp are due the day of the exam (Wednesday).

Use the space on your note sheet to draw the genes and regulatory sites for the lac operon.

Draw the operon first, then use the puffballs and modeling materials to show how the operon is controlled.

lac I lac Z lac Y lac Apromoter operator

Repressor:RNA polymerase:Enzymes that break down lactose:Lactose: mRNA: 2 pieces of yarn. 1 for repressor, 1 for enzymes that break down lactose

CAP Binding site

Here is what it will look like…

lac I lac Z lac Y lac Apromoter operator

Repressor:RNA polymerase:Enzymes that break down lactose:Lactose: mRNA: 2 pieces of yarn. 1 for repressor, 1 for enzymes that break down lactose

When lactose is absent… the repressor is where?

So can RNA polymerase transcribe lac Z, Y or A? (Y/N?)

Blocked!!!

CAP Binding site