operon
Noun
Meaning
a segment of DNA containing adjacent genes including structural genes and an operator gene and a regulatory gene
Source: WordNetSynonyms
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Examples
The J protein interacts with the maltose outer membrane porin (the product of the lamB gene) of E. coli, citation a porin molecule, which is part of the maltose operon.
So high levels of tryptophan prevent tryptophan synthesis through a negative feedback loop and, when the cell's tryptophan levels are reduced, transcription from the trp operon resumes.
The genetic organisation of the trp operon thus permits tightly regulated and rapid responses to changes in the cell's internal and external tryptophan levels.
The operon is said to be polycistronic, whereas ordinary genes are said to be monocistronic.