Skip to main content
Back

Tryptophan Operon and Attenuation definitions

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/15
  • trp Operon
    A cluster of genes in prokaryotes responsible for synthesizing tryptophan, regulated by both repression and attenuation mechanisms.
  • Repressor
    A protein that, when bound to tryptophan, attaches to the operator and blocks transcription of the operon.
  • Co-repressor
    A molecule, such as tryptophan, that binds to a repressor protein, enabling it to inhibit gene transcription.
  • Operator
    A DNA segment within the operon where regulatory proteins bind to control gene transcription.
  • Attenuation
    A regulatory process using tryptophan-charged tRNA and leader sequence structures to fine-tune operon transcription.
  • Leader Sequence
    A region of mRNA upstream of structural genes that can form secondary structures influencing transcription termination.
  • Terminator Structure
    A specific mRNA secondary structure, typically involving regions 3 and 4, that halts transcription prematurely.
  • Anti-terminator Structure
    A secondary mRNA structure, usually formed by regions 2 and 3, that allows transcription to proceed.
  • Tryptophan tRNA
    A transfer RNA molecule charged with tryptophan, essential for both protein synthesis and attenuation regulation.
  • Ribosome Stalling
    A pause in translation at tryptophan codons due to low tryptophan tRNA, influencing leader sequence folding.
  • TRAP Protein
    A regulatory protein that binds tryptophan and leader sequence, promoting terminator structure formation in some prokaryotes.
  • Anti-TRAP Protein
    A protein that binds to TRAP under low tryptophan, preventing terminator formation and allowing transcription.
  • Promoter
    A DNA sequence upstream of the operon where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.
  • Regions 1-4
    Segments within the leader sequence whose interactions determine whether transcription is terminated or continues.
  • Stop Codon
    A nucleotide triplet in the leader sequence that signals the end of translation, influencing leader mRNA structure.