BIOG 1105-1106 | Cornell Introductory Biology, Individualized Instruction

Gene regulatory proteins are proteins that recognize and bind to specific short stretches of double-helical DNA and thereby determine which of the thousands of genes in a cell will be transcribed. The mode of control may be negative or positive. By definition, negative control occurs when a repressor protein is involved, that is when a regulator protein is active, DNA-binding repressor prevents RNA polymerase from binding and turning the genes off. Positive control is the exact opposite of negative control: instead of interfering with the initiation of transcription, it enhances transcription. Positive control occurs when an active, DNA-binding regulatory protein binds to DNA and assists the binding of RNA polymerase and therefore facilitates transcription. Such regulator proteins are called transcriptional activators.

Note: A ligand is defined as any molecule that binds to a specific site on a protein molecule. The binding of a specific ligand to an allosteric protein causes the protein to reversibly change its shape, from an active to an inactive form, or vice-versa. In the case of the lac operon (upper left), the ligand is the inducer (e.g. allolactose); in a repressible operon (bottom left), the ligand is a corepressor.

NEGATIVE VS. POSITIVE CONTROL MECHANISMS

Negative control: Bound repressor protein prevents transcription.

In negative control, the bacterial gene repressor protein binds to the operator near the promoter and thereby inhibits transcription of specific genes.

Examples:

An inducible operon:

A repressible operon:

Because in both cases the binding of the regulatory protein suppresses transcription, this type of gene control is called negative control.

Positive control: Bound activator protein promotes transcription.

In positive gene control, a gene activator protein facilitates the action of RNA polymerase.

Examples:

Activator protein facilitates transcription unless removed by inhibitor:

Activator protein facilitates transcription unless inducer is removed and activator can no longer bind:

Because in both cases more transcription occurs in the presence of the activator protein than in its absence, this type of regulation is called positive control.