The catabolite-sensitive promoter for the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene is preceded by two binding sites for the catabolite gene activator protein.

DNase I protection experiments have indicated that the cyclic AMP-catabolite gene activator protein complex binds to two regions preceding the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat) gene in Escherichia coli. One of these lies adjacent to the RNA polymerase binding site, whereas the second lies approximately 130 base pairs upstream from the starting point of transcription. Additional DNase protection experiments and in vitro transcription experiments with modified templates indicate that the catabolite gene activator protein site proximal to the cat promoter functions independently of the distal site, indicating that in vitro the second of these sites is not required for transcriptional activation of the cat gene.