Inducer

As an inducer signal substance is referred to in genetics, which increases the transcription negatively regulated genes. The inducer binds to the repressor protein, which then from its binding site on the DNA, the operator is released. Thus, the RNA polymerase binding to the promoter and initiate transcription. The genetic concept of the inductor was treated in detail by Jacob and Monod in 1961.

Examples

• The induction of the lactose operon ( lac operon ) through the inductor allolactose ( a metabolic product of lactose).
• The induction of the tet operon by the antibiotic tetracycline.