Regulatory sequence
Encyclopedia
A regulatory sequence is a segment of DNA
where regulatory proteins such as transcription factor
s bind preferentially. These regulatory proteins bind to short stretches of DNA called regulatory regions, which are appropriately positioned in the genome, usually a short distance 'upstream' of the gene being regulated. By doing so, these regulatory proteins can recruit another protein complex, called the RNA polymerase
. In this way, they control
gene expression
and thus protein biosynthesis
.
Regulatory sequences 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 protein
s or RNAs (e.g. miRNA
s).
Research to find all regulatory regions in the genomes of all sorts of organisms is under way. Conserved non-coding sequence
s often contain regulatory regions, and so they are often the subject of these analyses.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
where regulatory proteins such as transcription factor
Transcription factor
In molecular biology and genetics, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA...
s bind preferentially. These regulatory proteins bind to short stretches of DNA called regulatory regions, which are appropriately positioned in the genome, usually a short distance 'upstream' of the gene being regulated. By doing so, these regulatory proteins can recruit another protein complex, called the RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase is an enzyme that produces RNA. In cells, RNAP is needed for constructing RNA chains from DNA genes as templates, a process called transcription. RNA polymerase enzymes are essential to life and are found in all organisms and many viruses...
. In this way, they control
Regulation of gene expression
Gene modulation redirects here. For information on therapeutic regulation of gene expression, see therapeutic gene modulation.Regulation of gene expression includes the processes that cells and viruses use to regulate the way that the information in genes is turned into gene products...
gene expression
Gene expression
Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as ribosomal RNA , transfer RNA or small nuclear RNA genes, the product is a functional RNA...
and thus protein biosynthesis
Protein biosynthesis
Protein biosynthesis is the process in which cells build or manufacture proteins. The term is sometimes used to refer only to protein translation but more often it refers to a multi-step process, beginning with amino acid synthesis and transcription of nuclear DNA into messenger RNA, which is then...
.
Regulatory sequences can also be found in messenger RNA
Messenger RNA
Messenger RNA is a molecule of RNA encoding a chemical "blueprint" for a protein product. mRNA is transcribed from a DNA template, and carries coding information to the sites of protein synthesis: the ribosomes. Here, the nucleic acid polymer is translated into a polymer of amino acids: a protein...
, but they are generally not as well studied as those in DNA. They may be bound by RNA-binding protein
RNA-binding protein
RNA-binding proteins are proteins that bind to RNA. They bind to either double-strand or single-strand RNAs through RNA recognition motif . RNA-binding proteins may regulate the translation of RNA, and post-transcriptional events, such as RNA splicing, editing.They are cytoplasmic and nuclear...
s or RNAs (e.g. miRNA
Mirna
Mirna may refer to:geographical entities* Mirna , a river in Istria, Croatia* Mirna , a river in Slovenia, tributary of the river Sava* Mirna , a settlement in the municipality of Mirna in Southeastern Sloveniapeople...
s).
Research to find all regulatory regions in the genomes of all sorts of organisms is under way. Conserved non-coding sequence
Conserved non-coding sequence
A conserved non-coding sequence is a DNA sequence of noncoding DNA that is evolutionarily conserved. These sequences are of interest for their potential to regulate gene production....
s often contain regulatory regions, and so they are often the subject of these analyses.
Examples
- CAAT boxCAAT boxIn molecular biology, a CCAAT box is a distinct pattern of nucleotides with GGCCAATCT consensus sequence that occur upstream by 75-80 bases to the initial transcription site. The CAAT box signals the binding site for the RNA transcription factor, and is typically accompanied by a conserved...
- CCAAT box
- Operator (biology)Operator (biology)In genetics, an operator is a segment of DNA to which a transcription factor protein binds. It is classically defined in the lac operon as a segment between the promoter and the genes of the operon. In the case of a repressor, the repressor protein physically obstructs the RNA polymerase from...
- Pribnow boxPribnow boxThe Pribnow box is the sequence TATAAT of six nucleotides that is an essential part of a promoter site on DNA for transcription to occur in bacteria...
- TATA boxTATA boxThe TATA box is a DNA sequence found in the promoter region of genes in archaea and eukaryotes; approximately 24% of human genes contain a TATA box within the core promoter....
- SECIS elementSECIS elementIn biology, the SECIS element is an RNA element around 60 nucleotides in length that adopts a stem-loop structure. This structural motif directs the cell to translate UGA codons as selenocysteines...
, mRNA - PolyadenylationPolyadenylationPolyadenylation is the addition of a poly tail to an RNA molecule. The poly tail consists of multiple adenosine monophosphates; in other words, it is a stretch of RNA that has only adenine bases. In eukaryotes, polyadenylation is part of the process that produces mature messenger RNA for translation...
signals, mRNA - A-box
- Z-box
- C-box
- E-boxE-boxAn E-box is a DNA sequence which usually lies upstream of a gene in a promoter region. It is a transcription factor binding site where the specific sequence of DNA, CANNTG, is recognized by proteins that can bind to it to help initiate its transcription. Once transcription factors bind to...
- G-box
For the insulin gene
Regulatory sequences for the insulin gene are:- A5
- Z
- negative regulatory element (NRE)
- C2
- E2
- A3
- cAMP response element
- A2
- CAAT enhancer binding (CEB)
- C1
- E1
- G1
See also
- Regulation of gene expressionRegulation of gene expressionGene modulation redirects here. For information on therapeutic regulation of gene expression, see therapeutic gene modulation.Regulation of gene expression includes the processes that cells and viruses use to regulate the way that the information in genes is turned into gene products...
- Cis-acting element
- Gene regulatory networkGene regulatory networkA gene regulatory network or genetic regulatory network is a collection of DNA segments in a cell whichinteract with each other indirectly and with other substances in the cell, thereby governing the rates at which genes in the network are transcribed into mRNA.In general, each mRNA molecule goes...
- OperonOperonIn genetics, an operon is a functioning unit of genomic DNA containing a cluster of genes under the control of a single regulatory signal or promoter. The genes are transcribed together into an mRNA strand and either translated together in the cytoplasm, or undergo trans-splicing to create...
- Promoter
- Trans-acting factor
- ORegAnno