Pribnow box

that is an essential part of a promoter site on DNA for transcription to occur in bacteria.

It is also commonly called the -10 sequence or element, because it is centered roughly ten base pairs upstream from the site of initiation of transcription.

The Pribnow box has a function similar to the TATA box that occurs in promoters in eukaryotes and archaea: it is recognized and bound by a subunit of RNA polymerase during initiation of transcription.

[3] This region of the DNA is also the first place where base pairs separate during prokaryotic transcription to allow access to the template strand.

[citation needed][1][2] The term "Pribnow box" is used in episode 13 of Neon Genesis Evangelion, in reference to the chamber holding simulation Evangelions for testing purposes.