CAAT box

The CAAT box is a specific DNA sequence found in the promoter region of certain genes, particularly in eukaryotic cells. It serves as a binding site for transcription factors—proteins that help regulate gene expression. When these factors attach to the CAAT box, they influence the gene’s activity, either enhancing or inhibiting its transcription into messenger RNA. This process is essential for controlling how and when genes are turned on or off, impacting cell function, growth, and response to environmental signals. The CAAT box is one of several key elements that coordinate gene regulation in a cell.