http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/IAO_0000125

process(P1) regulates process(P2) iff: P1 results in the initiation or termination of P2 OR affects the frequency of its initiation or termination OR affects the magnitude or rate of output of P2.

We use 'regulates' here to specifically imply control. However, many colloquial usages of the term correctly correspond to the weaker relation of 'causally upstream of or within' (aka influences). Consider relabeling to make things more explicit

Chris Mungall,Tanya Berardini,David Hill

http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ro/docs/causal-relations,GO

Regulation precludes parthood; the regulatory process may not be within the regulated process.

regulates (processual)

false