Distant Activation of Transcription by Enhancers

Recent genomic studies have revealed a large number of distantly-acting regulatory DNA regions activating transcription (enhancers). Typically, interactions between enhancers and their targets (promoters) involve chromatin looping directed by proteins specifically bound at the interacting DNA regions. Such dynamic regulatory chromatin loops of different size and stability form extensive and complex three-dimensional networks that largely define gene expression patterns and identity of eukaryotic cells. Misalignment of these networks results in development of numerous human diseases including cancer.