Unit 2: mal Operon

Question 1

What does the Mal operon contain?

Answer 1

• set of genes that allow bacteria to break down maltose into 2 glucose molecules to be used for carbon and energy

Question 2

What does the Mal operon code for?

Answer 2

• two proteins: MalP and MalQ

Question 3

MalT

Answer 3

• regulatory protein that regulates the expression of the mal operon via positive regulation (it is an activator)
• gene that encodes MalT is upstream of the operon
• MalT is constitutively expressed

Question 4

What is the strength of the mal operon

Answer 4

• very weak and cannot easily bind the sigma factor and recruit the RNA polymerase

Question 5

How does maltose work as an inducer?

Answer 5

• maltose binds to the MalT protein and induces a shape change that allows MalT to bind to the operator and help recruit the RNA Polymerase