Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
06:02
A Computational Pipeline for Intergenic/Intragenic Enhancer RNA Quantification in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: October 28, 2025
Emergence of protein-coding enhancer RNAs in primate evolution
Monica G Valencia Gattas1, Ramin Shiekhattar1
1Department of Human Genetics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), once thought noncoding, can be translated into primate-specific proteins. This discovery redefines the function and output of active enhancers.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are transcripts from active enhancers, typically considered non-functional.
- The Integrator complex processes these short, unstable RNA polymerase II transcripts.
- Previous understanding limited eRNA function to regulatory roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional potential of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs).
- To determine if eRNAs can be translated into proteins.
- To explore the specificity and implications of any translated eRNA products.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of RNA polymerase II transcripts from active enhancers.
- Identification of open reading frames within eRNA sequences.
- Experimental validation of eRNA translation in primate systems.
Main Results:
- A subset of eRNAs possess translatable open reading frames.
- These eRNAs are translated into arginine-rich proteins.
- The resulting proteins exhibit high specificity to primate species.
Conclusions:
- Enhancer RNAs are not exclusively noncoding.
- eRNAs can serve as templates for protein synthesis.
- This finding expands the known functions of enhancers and their regulatory elements.
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