promoter-enhancer loop anchoring activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Bridging together two cis-regulatory elements, colloquially referred to as promoters and/or enhancers, holding two loop anchors together to maintain a chromatin loop. [PMID:32213323]

Promoter-enhancer loop anchoring activity refers to the molecular function of proteins that physically connect and stabilize interactions between promoters and enhancers, facilitating long-range communication within the genome. This interaction is essential for the coordinated regulation of gene expression. These proteins act as molecular bridges, tethering regulatory elements and bringing them into close proximity, often within the three-dimensional structure of the nucleus.

The mechanism of promoter-enhancer loop anchoring involves the binding of these proteins to specific DNA sequences located at both the promoter and enhancer regions. This binding can occur directly or indirectly, through intermediary proteins. Once bound, these proteins facilitate the formation of loop structures in the DNA, bringing the promoter and enhancer into close contact. This spatial proximity allows transcription factors bound to the enhancer to interact with the transcription machinery assembled at the promoter, thus activating gene expression.

The establishment and maintenance of these loops are dynamic and can be regulated by various cellular factors, including chromatin modifications, signaling pathways, and the activity of other proteins. Disruption of promoter-enhancer loop anchoring can lead to aberrant gene expression and contribute to various diseases, highlighting the crucial role of this function in maintaining cellular homeostasis.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)