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

One of these transcription factors is MraZ, which is also the first gene within the dcw operon in all bacteria.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

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

Figure 16.3 The five genes that are needed to synthesize tryptophan in E. coli are located next to each other in the trp operon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

In 1966, Walter Gilbert and Benno Muller-Hill isolated the repressor protein from bacterial cells—thereby proving Monod’s operon hypothesis beyond doubt.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee