E-box

An 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 promoters, they allow for association of other enzymes which will copy the DNA into mRNA. The consensus sequence for the E-box element is CANNTG, with a palindromic canonical sequence of CACGTG. Transcription factors containing the basic-helix-loop-helix protein structural motif typically bind to E-boxes or related variant sequences and enhance transcription of the downstream gene.

Proteins that interact with E-boxes

 * E47
 * Beta2/NeuroD1
 * MyoD
 * MyoG
 * BMAL-CLOCK
 * c-Myc