Mapping how gene control regions interact using CRISPR interference

Nine distal enhancers regulating gene expression and cellular proliferation were identified in a study assessing over 1 megabase of sequence.

• Gene expression in mammals is influenced by noncoding elements, but many remain functionally uncharacterized.
• The study utilized CRISPR interference to discover regulatory elements and their target genes.
• Quantitative features of chromatin state and chromosome conformation were used to differentiate enhancers regulating MYC from unrelated elements.
• This approach may assist in predicting the connectivity between enhancers and promoters.
• Findings could help in understanding the role of noncoding genetic variation in human disease.

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