MalTplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMalT: a protein encoded by the $malT$ gene that acts as a transactivator for the Mal operon.: a proteinplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigProtein: a molecule that is formed by the translation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Functions that proteins provide are what usually give organisms their phenotypes. encoded by the $malT$ geneplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGene: read Chapters 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 for a definition of gene :-) that acts as a transactivatorplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTransactivator (activator): a DNA binding protein that binds to promoter sequences to activate the transcription of nearby genes. In the context of gene expression, “activator” is usually a synonym for transactivator. Compare with positive regulator. for the Mal operonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMal operon: an operon in E. coli that includes the cis-acting elements of a promoter and an intiator, and the protein coding genes $malP$ and $malQ$. The Mal operon is an example of a positively-regulated operon..