Enhancer RNAs: Mechanisms, Epigenetic Modifications, and Functional Roles in Cancer
HUANG Chunhui1, LI Yanguo2, QIU Meiqian1, LIAO Qi3 *
eRNAs (enhancer RNAs) are functional ncRNAs (non-coding RNAs) transcribed from genomic enhancer regions, playing crucial roles in gene expression regulation and cancer development. This review summarizes eRNA biogenesis, mechanisms of action, epigenetic modifications, and their functions in cancer development. Under the coordinated action of transcription factors, coactivators, and RNAP II (RNA polymerase II), enhancers are activated and transcribed to produce eRNA. eRNA can participate in the transcriptional regulation of target genes by promoting enhancer-promoter looping, recruiting transcription factors and transcriptional complexes, and modulating chromatin accessibility. As a form of epigenetic regulation, RNA modifications can occur on various RNA species including eRNA, affecting their processing, stability, and function. Multiple studies have shown that eRNA expression profiles are frequently dysregulated in cancer; these alterations can modulate the expression of cancer-related genes, thereby affecting tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis.A deeper understanding of the functional mechanisms and epigenetic modification patterns of eRNAs will facilitate the elucidation of novel epigenetic regulatory networks and identify new molecular targets for early cancer diagnosis and targeted therapy.
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