Super-enhancers require enhancers and facilitators to fully activate gene expression [RNA-seq]

ABSTRACT: Super-enhancers are compound regulatory elements which control expression of key cell-identity genes. They recruit high levels of tissue-specific transcription factors, co-activators such as the mediator complex, and they contact their target gene promoters with high frequency. Most super-enhancers contain multiple constituent regulatory elements, but it is unclear whether these elements have distinct roles in activating expression of their cognate genes. Here, through comprehensively rebuilding the endogenous α-globin super-enhancer, we show that super-enhancers comprise bioinformatically equivalent but functionally distinct element types: classical enhancers and facilitator elements. Facilitators have no intrinsic enhancer activity, yet in their absence, classical enhancers are unable to fully up-regulate their target genes. Without facilitators, classical enhancers exhibit reduced mediator recruitment, enhancer RNA transcription and enhancer-promoter interactions. Facilitators are interchangeable, but display functional hierarchy based on their position within a super-enhancer. Facilitators thus play an important role in potentiating super-enhancer activity and ensuring robust activation of target genes.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE219062 | GEO | 2023/12/31

REPOSITORIES: GEO