DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
A super-enhancer is a special type of enhancer region in DNA that enables particularly strong and coordinated gene regulation. These regions consist of clusters of several individual enhancers that work together and attract very high concentrations of transcription factors, mediator proteins and other co-activators.
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
Characteristics of super enhancers:
- Very high transcriptional activity: They drive the expression of genes particularly strongly - often those that are crucial for the identity and function of a particular cell type.
- Large genomic regions: Compared to normal enhancers, they are longer and contain multiple enhancer elements.
- High occupancy by transcription factors: Super-enhancers bind an above-average number of regulatory proteins.
- Sensitivity to perturbations: Since they regulate central genes, mutations or epigenetic changes in super enhancers can lead to diseases such as tumors.
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
In embryonic stem cells, super-enhancers control genes such as Oct4 or Sox2, which are crucial for the maintenance of pluripotency.
