| Basis of differentiation | Regulatory proteins | Repressor proteins | 
| Definition | Is a protein which binds with DNA and controls gene expression | Is a protein which binds with DNA or RNA and prevents transcription or translation | 
| Gene transcription | Induces or inhibits gene expression | Inhibits gene expression | 
| Binding site | Binds to specific DNA sequences (enhancers, promoters) | Binds to operator regions near the promoter | 
| Mechanism | Is inducible or repressible based on environmental signals | Is associated with repression |