Erokhin M, Vassetzky Y, Georgiev P, Chetverina D. Eukaryotic enhancers: common features, regulation, and participation in diseases.
Cell Mol Life Sci 2015;
72:2361-75. [PMID:
25715743 PMCID:
PMC11114076 DOI:
10.1007/s00018-015-1871-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Enhancers are positive DNA regulatory sequences controlling temporal and tissue-specific gene expression. These elements act independently of their orientation and distance relative to the promoters of target genes. Enhancers act through a variety of transcription factors that ensure their correct match with target promoters and consequent gene activation. There is a growing body of evidence on association of enhancers with transcription factors, co-activators, histone chromatin marks, and lncRNAs. Alterations in enhancers lead to misregulation of gene expression, causing a number of human diseases. In this review, we focus on the common characteristics of enhancers required for transcription stimulation.
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