A recent study conducted by a nationwide research team, has resulted in the mapping of 55,000 enhancers, helping scientists to understand how cells control genes specific to their cell types. Enhancers are short regions of DNA that help to enhance or boost the expression of the gene and are one of the regulatory elements which act to bring together proteins that regulate the trancription of individual genes. The team analysed 14 million DNA probes corresponding to the entire human genome, in order to create a genome-scaled map of enhancers, consisting of 55,000 elements. The elements that make up the map include enhancers that differentiate gene expression in cervical cancer, luekeamia and embryonic cells, as well as other cells.
In their study the researchers located regulatory DNA sequences such as promoters, enhancers and insulators in each gene to identify them in multiple cells and investigate their roles in gene expression. From the data collected they found that the chromatin signatures of promoter sites were similar across all cells and that the enhancers are marked by highly specific modification patterns. These patterns found indicate that enhancers play an important role in the differentiation of specific cell types. This will help to explain what causes cells to differentiate into liver, brain or skin cells or why these cells might become cancerous.
University of Calafornia - San Diego ( March 27, 2009). What's Driving Specific Patterns Of Gene Expression Amoung Cell Type? www.sciencedail.com/releases/2009/03/090318140518.htm
Wikipedia. Gene Enhancers. Retrieved 29 March, 2009 from en.wikipedia.org/Wiki/Enhancer_(genetics)
