What is the Difference Between Operon and Regulon?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an operon and a regulon lies in the arrangement of the genes within the genome and the way they are regulated. Here are the key differences between the two:
Operon:
- Found primarily in prokaryotes.
- Comprises a group of related genes with a single promoter, regulated by a single operator.
- The genes are contiguously located in a specific region of the genome.
- Operons can be classified into two types: repressible or inducible.
- Regulated by a single promoter.
- Operons can also be found in viruses like bacteriophages.
Regulon:
- Found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Comprises a set of genes or operons that are regulated by a single regulatory protein.
- The genes are not necessarily contiguous and can be located in different regions of the genome.
- Regulons can be classified into two types: stimulon or modulon.
- Each transcription unit of a regulon has its own promoter.
- Regulons are not found in viruses.
In summary, an operon is a group of contiguous genes in a specific region of the genome that share a single promoter, while a regulon is a set of genes or operons that are regulated by a single regulatory protein and can be located in different regions of the genome.
Comparative Table: Operon vs Regulon
The main difference between an operon and a regulon lies in the arrangement of genes within the genome and the type of organisms they are found in. Here is a table highlighting the differences between operons and regulons:
Feature | Operon | Regulon |
---|---|---|
Location | Contiguous genes in a specific genome region | Genes located in various regions within the genome |
Organisms | Primarily found in prokaryotes | Found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes |
Types | Two types: repressible or inducible | Two types: stimulon or modulon |
Regulation | Single promoter regulates an operon | Several regulatory mechanisms control the response |
Examples | Gal operon, Arg operon, His operon | LexA regulon, NtrC regulon, PhoP regulon |
Operons are groups of related genes with a single promoter, primarily found in prokaryotes, and can be classified into two types: repressible or inducible. On the other hand, regulons are groups of genes or operons that are controlled by a single regulatory protein and are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. They can be classified into two types: stimulon or modulon.
- Operon vs Cistron
- Gene Expression vs Gene Regulation
- Inducible vs Repressible Operon
- Structural vs Regulatory Genes
- Positive vs Negative Gene Regulation
- Act vs Regulation
- Directive vs Regulation
- Lac vs Trp Operon
- Law vs Regulation
- Regime vs Rule
- Legislation vs Regulation
- Regulatory vs Repressor Protein
- Promoter vs Operator
- Policy vs Regulation
- Genetic Code vs Codon
- Rules vs Regulations
- Activator Promoter vs Repressor
- ORF vs Exon
- Inducible vs Constitutive Promoter