A mutation prevents expression of the CAP protein. Will the Lac operon be expressed when lactose levels are high and glucose levels are low? Explain your reasoning.
If the CAP protein ( catabolite activator protein) is not expressed the trancription of lac operon takes places at very low rate when lactose levels are high and glucose levels are low. It is because CAP protein is a transcriptional activator which enhances the RNA polymerase activity by binding to the promoter region of lac operon and strengthens the expression of lac operon when lactose levels are high and glucose levels are low. In the absence of CAP, the RNA polymerase trancriptional activity is not enhanced hence the transcriptional rate will be way lower.
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