Abstract
Enhancers are regulatory DNA sequences of gene expression that augment the activity of a promoter in an orientation-, position-, and distance-independent manner. These sequences play a key role in the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression in higher eukaryotes. Classically, trans-acting gene regulatory proteins are thought to bind to enhancers in order to impact transcriptional activity of their associated promoters. However, more recently, evidence has emerged that points to other diverse mechanisms by which enhancers may exert their effects on gene expression, including through epigenetic modifications, alterations of chromatin structure, and noncoding RNAs.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics |
| Subtitle of host publication | Second Edition |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 493-494 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780080961569 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780123749840 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 27 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Activator
- DNA looping
- Gene expression
- Promoter
- Transcription factor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Medicine(all)
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Cite this
Jen, K-Y. (2013). Enhancers. In Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics: Second Edition (pp. 493-494). Elsevier Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374984-0.00477-0