Table 3.

Simple Regulatory Rules


Regulator presence

Regulator function

DNA binding conformation

Effector presence (i)



Discrete expression level
P Absent → Off
Positive Present → Off
P-i Absent → Off
Absence Present → Off
P Absent → On
Negative Present → On
P-i Absent → On
Present → On
P Absent → On
Positive Present → Off
Presence P-i Absent → Off
Present → On
P Absent → Off
Negative Present → On
P-i Absent → On



Present
→
Off

[i] This table describes the rules determining gene expression when a single protein regulates genes. The rules show the regulatory protein complexes (protein and effector-metabolite), when present. We distinguish two types of conformation of regulators notated as P when they bind to their DNA-binding site with no effector, and as P-i regulators when they bind to DNA with the effector present. In the case of an absent protein, we assume that the expression state depends on the promoter strength.