Enhancers
Enhancers
Enhancers (/ɛnˈhænsərz/) are short regions of DNA that can be bound by proteins (via transcription factors) to increase the likelihood that transcription of a particular gene will occur.
Etymology
The term "enhancer" was coined in the late 20th century, derived from the English word "enhance," meaning to increase or improve. It refers to the function of these DNA regions in enhancing the transcription of genes.
Function
Enhancers can be located upstream or downstream of the gene they regulate, and they can be located quite a distance from the gene. They function by providing a binding site for the transcription factors and other proteins that help to initiate transcription. The enhancer region and the proteins that bind to it form a complex that attracts and binds the RNA polymerase enzyme, which then begins transcription of the gene.
Related Terms
- Promoter: A region of DNA that initiates transcription of a particular gene. Promoters are located near the transcription start sites of genes, on the same strand and upstream.
- Silencer: A DNA sequence capable of binding transcription regulation factors, called repressors. DNA contains genes and provides the template to produce messenger RNA (mRNA). That mRNA is then used to produce proteins which will then carry out all the necessary functions of life.
- Transcription Factors: Proteins involved in the process of converting, or transcribing, DNA into RNA.
- RNA Polymerase: An enzyme that is responsible for copying a DNA sequence into an RNA sequence, during the process of transcription.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Enhancers
- Wikipedia's article - Enhancers
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