Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

Abstract

Molecular Enhancers; Remote Controls the Differential Gene Expression during Development

Nidda Syeed, Hassan A.A. Hamali, Khalid A. Alahmari, Mohammad Khamash Al-Magribi and Firdous Hussain

Enhancers are the DNA elements, which belong to class of regulatory sequences that can influence the transcriptional output independently of their location, distance or orientation with respect to the promoter of the genes they control. These regulatory DNA elements throughout the genome monitor the spatial and temporal expression patterns of specific sets of genes during the course of development. In the recent past, various studies suggest that the discrete chromatin characteristics of enhancer sequences are involved in directing the varied signalling molecules to distinct DNA regions that drive the differential gene expression program during the development. These diverse chromatin features contribute to the differential epigenetic patterning of enhancers which is regulated by the complex interaction between the DNA methylation status, the binding of specific transcription factor to enhancers and existing histone modifications. Herein, we present insights into the epigenetic mechanisms of enhancer functions, which eventually contribute to the repertoire of cellular mechanisms to facilitate the altered patterns of gene expression and cell differentiation choices during developmental processes.