A group of related and closely linked structural genes, together with the operator gene that controls their expression are collectively called an operon . 一组相关的、紧密连锁的结构基因加上控制其表现的操纵基因,统称操纵子。
The regulator may code for a repressor protein that switches off an operator gene ( in bacteria ) 调解基因可能编码一种抑制蛋白,能够关闭一个操纵基因(在细菌中) 。