Enhancers and response elements

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between enhancers and response elements in gene regulation, focusing on their definitions, functions, and positions relative to gene promoters. Participants explore the roles of these elements in transcription regulation and the complexities involved in their interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Enhancers are defined as cis-acting DNA sequences that can significantly increase transcription rates of genes, regardless of their distance from the promoter.
  • Response elements are nucleotide sequences, typically located upstream, recognized by specific regulatory transcription factors, influencing gene response to various regulatory agents.
  • Some participants note that response elements can be found in both promoter and enhancer regions, challenging the assertion that they are only upstream.
  • There is a suggestion that enhancers can also have repressive functions, with some participants mentioning the concept of combinatorial control in gene regulation.
  • One participant discusses the potential for downstream binding to affect RNA polymerase action, raising questions about the mechanisms of transcription regulation.
  • Another participant provides a proof of concept regarding the effects of elements within a gene on the synthesis of truncated products.
  • References to external articles are shared, indicating ongoing exploration of the topic and the complexity of transcription factor interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the roles and locations of response elements and enhancers, indicating that multiple competing perspectives exist without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the positioning and functions of response elements and enhancers are not universally accepted, highlighting the need for further clarification and exploration of definitions and mechanisms.

rockind78
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What is the difference exactly? Thanks!
 
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Here the definition:

Enhancers
Cis acting DNA sequences that can greatly increase the transcription rates of genes even though they may be far upstream or downstream from the promoter they stimulate.
http://fred.hmc.psu.edu/ds/retrieve/fred/meshdescriptor/D020218

responce elements
Nucleotide sequences, usually upstream, which are recognized by specific regulatory transcription factors, thereby causing gene response to various regulatory agents. These elements may be found in both promoter and enhancer regions.
http://www.geneed.com/glossary/r/index.html

The differemce are not easy to see because they sound the same but the specificity is important. A responce element can have a role in repression of a gene whereas enhancers only stimulates the production. Responce elements are only upstream of a gene and will have a effect on the binding and action of RNA polymerase.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by iansmith
Responce elements are only upstream of a gene and will have a effect on the binding and action of RNA polymerase.
Why are response elements only upstream? According to the link response elements can both be in the promotor and enhancer regions, enhancer regions can both be up or downstream of a promotor.. :)

For instance: if a molecule binds downstream and causes the DNA to loop a certain way, the polymerase can't go further and will be released. That is how stop signals in bacteria work right?
 
I don't know, but in my field enhancers can also repress. They sometimes call them repressors, but sometimes not. It is all about combinatorial control anyway.
 
Originally posted by Monique
Why are response elements only upstream?

my mistake, should of said mostly

Originally posted by Monique
[BFor instance: if a molecule binds downstream and causes the DNA to loop a certain way, the polymerase can't go further and will be released. That is how stop signals in bacteria work right? [/B]

Yeah but the gene has been transcribed whereas with these elements will stop or increase expression.
 
Originally posted by iansmith
Yeah but the gene has been transcribed whereas with these elements will stop or increase expression.
I was just giving proof of concept if such elements were somewhere within a gene, a truncated product will be synthesized and rapidly degraded..
 
That does look good. If you don't get it let me know.
 
4pm: It printed! Stupid computers here..

Hm, this article looks usefull :) I'll try to stay awake in the train this time..

ps. how do they get an article to be 4 Mb? The figures are only 55 kb each.. crazy.
 
Last edited:

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