Enhancers: five essential questions

Nat Rev Genet. 2013 Apr;14(4):288-95. doi: 10.1038/nrg3458.

Abstract

It is estimated that the human genome contains hundreds of thousands of enhancers, so understanding these gene-regulatory elements is a crucial goal. Several fundamental questions need to be addressed about enhancers, such as how do we identify them all, how do they work, and how do they contribute to disease and evolution? Five prominent researchers in this field look at how much we know already and what needs to be done to answer these questions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*