Estrogen receptor-mediated long-range chromatin interactions and transcription in breast cancer.
Estrogen induces the binding of ERα to thousands of locations in the breast cancer genome, preferring intergenic and distal regions rather than near the promoters of estrogen-regulated genes. With recent technological innovations in mapping and characterization of global chromatin organization, evidence now indicates ERα mediates long-range chromatin interactions to control gene transcription. The principles that govern how ERα communicates with their putative target genes via chromosomal interactions are also beginning to unravel. Herein, we summarize our current knowledge on the functional significance of chromatin looping in estrogen-mediated transcription. ERα collaborative factors and other players that contribute to define the genomic interactions in breast cancer cells will also be discussed. Defects in chromatin organization are emerging key players in diseases such as cancer, thus understanding how ERα-mediated chromatin looping affects genome organization will clarify the receptor's role in estrogen responsive pathways sensitive to defects in chromatin organization.
Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore; Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, Genome Institute of Singapore, A∗STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138672, Singapore.
Mei Hui
MH
Liu
Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, Genome Institute of Singapore, A∗STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138672, Singapore. Electronic address: cheungcwe@gis.a-star.edu.sg.
Edwin
E
Cheung
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha
3C; ChIA-PET; Distal regulation; Estrogen receptor-α; Long-range chromatin interaction