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Non-coding Transcripts from Enhancers: New Insights into Enhancer Activity and Gene Expression Regulation
Hongjun Chen1, Guangshi Du1, Xu Song2
1Center for Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics
|June 11, 2017
Summary
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can act as enhancers, activating gene transcription. Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), transcribed from enhancer elements, directly regulate gene expression and enhancer activity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for diverse biological roles.
- Enhancers are key cis-regulatory elements controlling gene transcription.
- Recent findings reveal enhancer elements can be transcribed into enhancer RNAs (eRNAs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of enhancer activity and transcription.
- To describe the characteristics of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs).
- To elucidate the roles of eRNAs in regulating enhancer activity and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on lncRNAs, enhancers, and eRNAs.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which eRNAs regulate gene expression.
- Synthesis of current understanding of enhancer transcription and eRNA function.
Main Results:
- Enhancer elements are transcribed, producing enhancer RNAs (eRNAs).
- eRNAs are not mere byproducts but actively participate in gene regulation.
- eRNAs employ diverse mechanisms to modulate enhancer activity and gene transcription.
Conclusions:
- eRNAs represent a novel class of regulatory molecules.
- Understanding eRNA function is crucial for comprehending gene regulation.
- eRNAs offer potential targets for therapeutic interventions in gene expression-related diseases.
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