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A functional unit consisting of a promoter, an operator and a number of structural genes, found mainly in prokaryotes. An example is the operon nif. The structural genes commonly code for several functionally related enzymes, and although they are transcribed as one (polycistronic) mRNA, each has its separate translation initiation site. In the typical operon, the operator region acts as a controlling element in switching on or off the synthesis of m
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