What is "derepression"

n. 1 (context genetics English) The inactivation of a repressor gene. 2 (cx psychiatry English) The cessation of repression of a belief, memory, etc.

In genetics and biochemistry, a repressor gene inhibits the activity of an operator gene. Removal of repression, such as of an operon so that gene transcription occurs or is enhanced, with the net result frequently being elevation of the level of a specific enzyme. This effect is called derepression.