The gene encoding a hormone necessary for insect development contains DNA binding sites for three gene regulatory proteins called A, B, and C. Because the binding sites for A and B overlap, A and B cannot bind simultaneously.

You experimentally create a mutation in the binding sites for each of the proteins and measure hormone production in cells that contain equal amounts of the A, B, and C proteins. The results of your studies are summarized below (+ normal site, – mutation disrupts binding of protein)

Binding Site Hormone production
A+B+C+ off
A-B+C+ off
A+B-C+ off
A+B+C- low level
A-B-C+ off
A+B-C- low level
A-B+C- high level
A-B-C- off

A) Protein C is a repressor/activator of transcription?

B)Protein A is a stronger/weaker activator of transcription than Protein B?

C)C is able to prevent activation by A only/B only/both A and B?

D)Between the A protein and B protein, the A protein/B protein is more competitive for the overlapping binding site?