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Ever-Changing Landscapes: Transcriptional Enhancers in Development and Evolution
Hannah K Long1, Sara L Prescott2, Joanna Wysocka3
1Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Cell
|November 19, 2016
Summary
Enhancers are key cis-regulatory elements controlling gene expression during development. Their sequence and activity evolution drive phenotypic variation across species, influenced by genome organization.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Enhancers are critical cis-regulatory elements orchestrating gene expression during development.
- Divergence in enhancer sequence and activity is a key driver of phenotypic variation within and between species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of emerging principles of enhancer function.
- To discuss enhancer architecture, evolutionary origins, and the role of 3D genome organization.
- To explore the impact of complex regulatory landscapes on transcriptional regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on enhancers.
- Analysis of emerging principles in enhancer function and evolution.
- Discussion of genomic and organizational factors influencing gene regulation.
Main Results:
- Enhancers exhibit complex architectures and emerge from specific genomic substrates during evolution.
- Three-dimensional genome organization significantly influences long-range gene regulation by enhancers.
- Interactions within complex regulatory landscapes impact the specificity and robustness of transcription.
Conclusions:
- Understanding enhancer function, evolution, and organization is crucial for deciphering gene regulation.
- Enhancer divergence is a significant factor in phenotypic variation.
- Future research should focus on the intricate relationships within regulatory landscapes.
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