What are DNA sequence motifs?

Nat Biotechnol. 2006 Apr;24(4):423-5. doi: 10.1038/nbt0406-423.

Abstract

Sequence motifs are becoming increasingly important in the analysis of gene regulation. How do we define sequence motifs, and why should we use sequence logos instead of consensus sequences to represent them? Do they have any relation with binding affinity? How do we search for new instances of a motif in this sea of DNA?

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • DNA