Enhancer RNA: What we know and what we can achieve

Abstract

Enhancers are important cis-acting elements that can regulate gene transcription and cell fate alongside promoters. In fact, many human cancers and diseases are associated with the malfunction of enhancers. Recent studies have shown that enhancers can produce enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) by RNA polymerase II. In this review, we discuss eRNA production, characteristics, functions and mechanics. eRNAs can determine chromatin accessibility, histone modification and gene expression by constructing a 'chromatin loop', thereby bringing enhancers to their target gene. eRNA can also be involved in the phase separation with enhancers and other proteins. eRNAs are abundant, and importantly, tissue-specific in tumours, various diseases and stem cells; thus, eRNAs can be a potential target for disease diagnosis and treatment. As eRNA is produced from the active transcription of enhancers and is involved in the regulation of cell fate, its manipulation will influence cell function, and therefore, it can be a new target for biological therapy.