Tryptophan (trp) operon
from class: General Biology I Definition The tryptophan (trp) operon is a group of genes in prokaryotes that are used to synthesize the amino acid tryptophan. It is regulated by a repressor protein that inhibits gene expression when tryptophan levels are sufficient.
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Predict what's on your test 5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test The trp operon consists of five structural genes necessary for tryptophan synthesis. It operates using a negative feedback mechanism where high levels of tryptophan activate a repressor protein. The trp repressor binds to the operator region, blocking RNA polymerase from transcribing the genes. In the absence of tryptophan, the repressor is inactive, allowing gene transcription. Attenuation is another regulatory mechanism where transcription is prematurely terminated if tryptophan levels are high. Review Questions What role does the trp repressor play in regulating the trp operon? How does attenuation help regulate the trp operon? What happens to the trp operon when tryptophan levels are low?
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