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Leader sequence

(Science: molecular biology) in the regulation of gene Expression for enzymes concerned with amino acid synthesis in prokaryotes, the leader sequence codes for the leader peptide that contains several residues of the amino acid being regulated. Transcription is closely linked to translation and if translation is retarded by limited supply of amino acyl trna for the specific amino acid, the mode of transcription of the leader sequence permits full transcription of the operon genes, otherwise complete transcription of the leader sequence prematurely terminates transcription of the operon.