Regulatory sequence

A regulatory sequence (also called regulatory region or ~ element) is a promoter, enhancer or other segment of DNA where regulatory proteins such as transcription factors bind preferentially. They control gene expression and thus protein expression.

Regulatory sequences or elements can also be found in messenger RNA, but they are generally not as well studied as those in DNA. They may be bound by RNA-binding proteins or RNAs (eg miRNAs)

Examples

 * CAAT box
 * CCAAT box
 * Operator (biology)
 * Pribnow box
 * TATA box


 * SECIS element, mRNA
 * Polyadenylation signals, mRNA