Abstract:
Precise spatiotemporal regulations of gene expression are essential for determining cells\' fates and functions. Enhancers are cis-acting DNA elements that act as periodic transcriptional thrusters and their activities are cell type specific. Clusters of enhancers, called super-enhancers, are more densely occupied by transcriptional activators than enhancers, driving stronger expression of their target genes, which have prominent roles in establishing and maintaining cellular identities. Here we review the current knowledge on the composition and structure of super-enhancers to understand how they robustly stimulate the expression of cellular identity genes. We also review their involvement in the development of various cell types and both noncancerous and cancerous disorders, implying the therapeutic interest of targeting them to fight against various diseases.
摘要:
基因表达的精确时空调控对于确定细胞的命运和功能至关重要。增强子是作为周期性转录推进器起作用的顺式作用DNA元件,并且它们的活性是细胞类型特异性的。增强剂的集群,叫做超级增强剂,转录激活子比增强子更密集,驱动目标基因的更强表达,在建立和维护蜂窝身份方面发挥着重要作用。在这里,我们回顾了有关超级增强子的组成和结构的最新知识,以了解它们如何有力地刺激细胞身份基因的表达。我们还回顾了它们在各种细胞类型以及非癌性和癌性疾病发展中的参与,暗示着以它们为目标来对抗各种疾病的治疗兴趣。