title: Enhancer RNAs and regulated transcriptional programs.
abstract: A large portion of the human genome is transcribed into RNAs without known protein-coding functions, far outnumbering coding transcription units. Extensive studies of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have clearly demonstrated that they can play critical roles in regulating gene expression, development, and diseases, acting both as transcriptional activators and repressors. More recently, enhancers have been found to be broadly transcribed, resulting in the production of enhancer-derived RNAs, or eRNAs. Here, we review emerging evidence suggesting that at least some eRNAs contribute to enhancer function. We discuss these findings with respect to potential mechanisms of action of eRNAs and other ncRNAs in regulated gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T Y
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Wenbo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address: mrosenfeld@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address: ckg@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Glass
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D022661:RNA, Untranslated
keywords: eRNA; enhancer; noncoding RNA; transcription