Bacteria use a number of ways to control gene expression. The enzymes required for the biosynthesis of the amino acid tryptophan are synthesized only if tryptophan is not available in the growth medium, ie trp operon is expressed only in the absence of tryptophan. The trp operon of E. coli is not only controlled through a regulatory protein but also by transcription attenuation.
Answer all questions-
1. What is gene expression?
2. List different methods that bacteria can use to regulate gene expression at the transcription step.
3. Describe the regulation of trp operon by attenuating transcription in the presence of tryptophan.
4. Describe the regulation of trp operon by attenuating transcription in the absence of tryptophan.