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Operon Model

Operon Model

The operon model represents a fundamental mechanism of gene regulation in prokaryotes, enabling coordinated expression of genes involved in related metabolic or functional pathways. Operons consist of structural genes, a promoter, and an operator, with transcription regulated by repressors, activators, and small effector molecules.Structure and Function of OperonsAn operon is a cluster of structural genes transcribed together under the control of a single promoter. The promoter region...

Operons

Operons

Prokaryotes can control gene expression through operons—DNA sequences consisting of regulatory elements and clustered, functionally related protein-coding genes. Operons use a single promoter sequence to initiate transcription of a gene cluster (i.e., a group of structural genes) into a single mRNA molecule. The terminator sequence ends transcription. An operator sequence, located between the promoter and structural genes, prohibits the operon’s transcriptional activity if bound by a repressor...

Operons

Operons

Prokaryotes can control gene expression through operons—DNA sequences consisting of regulatory elements and clustered, functionally related protein-coding genes. Operons use a single promoter sequence to initiate transcription of a gene cluster (i.e., a group of structural genes) into a single mRNA molecule. The terminator sequence ends transcription. An operator sequence, located between the promoter and structural genes, prohibits the operon’s transcriptional activity if bound by a repressor...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

MicroRNAs and the Operon paper.

Nikolaus Rajewsky¹

¹Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert Roessle Str. 10, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany. rajewsky@mdc-berlin.de

Journal of Molecular Biology

|March 23, 2011

Summary

Gene regulation research, sparked by the Operon paper, now includes microRNAs (miRNAs) as key players in eukaryotes. Understanding miRNA gene regulation combines computational and experimental approaches.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

The seminal "Operon paper" by Jacob and Monod laid the foundation for understanding gene regulation.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as critical regulators of eukaryotic gene expression for the past decade.

Observation:

Gene expression is intricately controlled at the molecular level.
MicroRNAs play a significant role in post-transcriptional gene silencing.
A synergistic approach using computational and experimental methods is crucial for advancing miRNA research.

Findings:

This review connects fundamental principles of gene regulation elucidated by the Operon model to the mechanisms of miRNA-mediated gene silencing.
It highlights how miRNAs fine-tune gene expression in eukaryotes.

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MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

The integration of bioinformatics and laboratory techniques has been instrumental in deciphering miRNA functions.

Implications:

Insights from the Operon paper provide a valuable framework for understanding modern gene regulation by miRNAs.
Further research into miRNA pathways can reveal novel therapeutic targets for diseases.
The combined computational-experimental approach serves as a powerful paradigm for future molecular biology discoveries.