增强子是真核生物基因表达调控的主要顺式作用元件,能有效促进基因表达。活化的增强子可以转录生成增强子RNA (enhancer RNAs, eRNAs),其合成受到信号系统和信号转录因子的约束。eRNAs与其他转录本(如lncRNAs和mRNAs)相比,其长度更短、稳定性更差、组织特异性更强。此外,eRNAs对增强子与启动子之间的染色质环(looping)的形成和稳定有一定的作用,并能促进靶基因的表达。目前,越来越多的研究发现eRNAs在发育和疾病发生等生物学过程中扮演着重要角色,但是其功能研究一直进展缓慢,调控机制尚不清楚。本文概述了eRNAs的特征、研究方法和功能特性,探讨了eRNAs作为潜在治疗靶标的可能性,以期为eRNAs的后续研究提供参考。

Enhancers are key cis-acting gene regulatory elements in eukaryotes, which can effectively promote the expression of target genes. Emerging evidence showed that enhancers in activation state could be transcribed to enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), the processes of which are regulated by various signaling systems and actions of signal-dependent transcription factors. Compared with the other transcripts (e.g. lncRNA, mRNA), eRNAs have shorter sequences, lower stability, and higher tissue specificity. eRNAs play roles in the initiation or stabilization of enhancer-promoter looping, and promote the expression of target genes. Recent studies have further showed that eRNAs have crucial roles in biological processes, such as development and disease initiation and progression. However, functional studies of eRNAs are currently lacking, and the regulatory mechanisms of eRNAs are still uncertain. Herein, we focus on the features, research methods and functional properties of eRNAs, and discusse the possibility of using eRNAs as therapeutic targets. We hope this discussion might provide some insights for further research on eRNAs.