Insights into Enhancer RNAs: Biogenesis and Emerging Role in Brain Diseases. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Yuxin; Huang, Zhengyi; Yang, Ruiqing; Chen, Yunlong; Wang, Qiang; Gao, Linbo
• Is Part Of: Neuroscientist. Volume 29:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: enhancer RNAs -- brain disease -- function -- mechanism; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1177/10738584211046889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-8584

Abstract

Enhancers are cis-acting elements that control the transcription of target genes and are transcribed into a class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) termed enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). eRNAs have shorter half-lives than mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs; however, the frequency of transcription of eRNAs is close to that of mRNAs. eRNA expression is associated with a high level of histone mark H3K27ac and a low level of H3K27me3. Although eRNAs only account for a small proportion of ncRNAs, their functions are important. eRNAs can not only increase enhancer activity by promoting the formation of enhancer-promoter loops but also regulate transcriptional activation. Increasing numbers of studies have found that eRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and development of brain diseases; however, further research into eRNAs is required. This review discusses the concept, characteristics, classification, function, and potential roles of eRNAs in brain diseases.