Enhancers with tissue-specific activity are enriched in intronic regions.

ABSTRACT: Tissue function and homeostasis reflect the gene expression signature by which the combination of ubiquitous and tissue-specific genes contribute to the tissue maintenance and stimuli-responsive function. Enhancers are central to control this tissue-specific gene expression pattern. Here, we explore the correlation between the genomic location of enhancers and their role in tissue-specific gene expression. We find that enhancers showing tissue-specific activity are highly enriched in intronic regions and regulate the expression of genes involved in tissue-specific functions, whereas housekeeping genes are more often controlled by intergenic enhancers, common to many tissues. Notably, an intergenic-to-intronic active enhancers continuum is observed in the transition from developmental to ad

SUBMITTER: Borsari B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8327915 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature