Regulatory Region of a Gene

Definition

The regulatory region of a gene refers to sequences of DNA that control when and where expression of specific genes occur. They act like switches controlling whether certain genes are turned on or off.

Related terms

Promoter Region: A specific sequence on the DNA where RNA polymerase binds and starts transcription.

Enhancer Region: These are sequences in DNA that increase transcription rates by providing binding sites for transcription factors.

Silencer Region: These regions do just opposite; they decrease transcription rates by hindering binding sites for transcription factors.