operon

American  

[op-uh-ron] / ˈɒp əˌrɒn /

noun

Genetics.

1. a set of two or more adjacent cistrons whose transcription is under the coordinated control of a promoter, an operator, and a regulator gene.

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operon British  

/ ˈɒpəˌrɒn /

noun

1. genetics a group of adjacent genes in bacteria functioning as a unit, consisting of structural genes and an operator

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operon Scientific  

/ ŏp′ə-rŏn′ /

1. A sequence of genetic material that functions in a coordinated manner, consisting of an operator, a promoter, and one or more structural genes that are transcribed together. Operons were first found in prokaryotes.

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Etymology

Origin of operon

1960–65; < French opéron, equivalent to opér ( er ) to work, operate + -on -on ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

operon

In this way, MraZ acts as the key regulator controlling the activity of the operon that governs cell division in most bacterial species.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 14, 2026

These techniques allowed the scientists to determine how the MraZ transcription factor attaches to the promoter of the dcw operon in the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 14, 2026

When MraZ activates the operon, the genes within the cluster produce the proteins required for bacteria to divide.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 14, 2026

The lac operon is a stretch of DNA with three adjacent genes that code for proteins that participate in the absorption and metabolism of lactose, a food source for E. coli.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

In 1957, Pardee, Monod, and Jacob discovered that the lactose operon was controlled by a single master switch—a protein eventually called the repressor.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee