Mechanism of Activation of Catabolite-Sensitive Genes: A Positive Control System
Year: 1970
Type: article
Abstract: Catabolite repression is defined as the inhibition of enzyme induction by glucose or related substances. In the bacterium E. coli, the effect of glucose appears to be due to a lowering of the cyclic AMP level. A DNA-directed cell-free system for beta-galactosidase synthesis has served as a model system for studying the mechanism of action of cyclic AMP. Previously, it was reported that in this system cyclic AMP is required for normal initiation of mRNA synthesis. A protein factor which acts in conjunction with the cyclic AMP has been partially purified. This protein factor has a high affinity for cyclic AMP. These and other results presented herein lead us to the conclusion that cyclic AMP and a protein factor called the catabolite gene activator protein are part of a positive control system for activating catabolite-sensitive genes.
Authors: Geoffrey Zubay, Daniele Schwartz, Jon Beckwith
Institutions: Harvard University, Columbia University
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2061482652