Regulation of the Lactase Gene

This interactive module explores how the process of eukaryotic gene expression is regulated, using the production of the enzyme lactase as an example. Students review the different processes and then explore the regulation of the LCT gene, which encodes lactase. Lactase is the enzyme that digests lactose, a sugar in milk. Genetic variations that cause the production of lactase to continue into adulthood result in lactase persistence, a recent evolutionary adaptation in humans.