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.