[초청강연] Epigenetic mechanisms underlying brain function

Epigenetic mechanisms underlying brain function

Tae-Kyung Kim

Dept of Life Sciences, POSTECH, Pohang, Republic of Korea

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly appreciated as
an integral component in gene regulatory networks. Genome-wide features
of their origin and expression patterns ascribed a prominent role for
lncRNAs to the regulation of protein-coding genes, and also suggest a
potential link to many human diseases. Recent studies have begun to
unravel the intricate regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs occurring at
multiple levels. We have previously discovered that a novel class of
lncRNAs, termed as enhancer RNA (eRNA), is dynamically expressed
from functionally active neuronal enhancers. Unlike other lncRNAs, the
induction of eRNA is rapid and transient, and tightly regulated by external
stimuli such as neuronal activity. Epigenomic analyses in many different
cell types unequivocally suggest that eRNA is a hallmark of functionally
active enhancers. This feature of eRNAs has enabled us to investigate the
molecular function of eRNAs in gene expression and brain function, and
dynamic coordination mechanism of enhancer clusters that ensures robust
induction of target genes in response to various stimuli. We are also
investigating the biogenesis mechanism of eRNAs. Our studies collectively
suggest that transcription at enhancers and eRNAs might represent a new
layer of complexity in the molecular architecture of many human diseases.