If the gene encoding the lac repressor is mutated so that the repressor can no longer bind the operator, will a high level of transcription of that operon occur? if the gene encoding the lac repressor is mutated so that the repressor can no longer bind the operator, will a high level of transcription of that operon occur? yes, but only when lactose is present yes, because rna polymerase will be able to bind the promoter and transcribe the operon no, because camp levels are low when the repressor is nonfunctional no, because rna polymerase is needed to transcribe the genes