2. Introduction
• Protein synthesis regulation is crucial for controlling the production of
proteins in cells.
• It ensures the synthesis of specific proteins at the right time and in the
right amounts.
• This process is vital for various biological activities.
3. Regulation of Protein Synthesis
Based on Nutrient Supply
• Prokaryotes regulate protein synthesis in response to changes in nutrient
availability.
• Example: E. coli adjusts protein synthesis to utilize alternative sugar sources
when glucose is absent.
• Transcription factors play a key role in this regulation.
4. Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis
Regulation by Operons
• Operons are genetic units that regulate protein synthesis at the transcriptional
level.
• Consist of the promoter region, operator region, and structural genes.
• Operons ensure synchronized expression of genes involved in specific
metabolic pathways.
5. Operon Activation and Transcription
• When an operon is activated, RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region.
• RNA polymerase transcribes all structural genes within the operon.
• Produces a polycistronic mRNA encoding multiple polypeptides.
6. Regulation by Repression and
Induction
• Repression: Inhibits operon transcription in the presence of a corepressor.
• Induction: Stimulates operon transcription in the presence of an inducer.
• Examples: Tryptophan operon (repression) and Lac operon (induction).
7. Regulation by Repression
• Repression inhibits operon transcription in the presence of a corepressor.
• Example: Tryptophan operon in E. coli.
• Repressor binds to the operator, preventing RNA polymerase binding.
8. Regulation by Induction
• Induction stimulates operon transcription in the presence of an inducer.
• Example: Lac operon in E. coli.
• Inducer binds to the repressor, inactivating it and allowing RNA polymerase
binding.
9. Regulation by Positive Control
• Positive control activates operon transcription.
• Example: Arabinose (ara) operon in prokaryotes.
• Arabinose binding converts the repressor into an activator, initiating
transcription.
10. Regulation by Catabolite Repression
• Catabolite repression inhibits operon transcription in the presence of glucose.
• cAMP levels play a key role in this regulation.
• Example: Lac operon in prokaryotes.
11. Summary
• Protein synthesis regulation ensures specific protein synthesis.
• Operons coordinate gene expression in prokaryotes.
• Repression, induction, positive control, and catabolite repression are
regulatory mechanisms.
12. Conclusion
• Protein synthesis regulation is crucial for cellular functions.
• Operons provide an efficient mechanism for gene expression control.
• Understanding these regulatory processes enhances our knowledge of
cellular biology.