Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) in Cancer: The Jacks of All Trades

Simple Summary This review focuses on eRNAs and the several mechanisms by which they can regulate gene expression. In particular we describe here the most recent examples of eRNAs dysregulated in cancer or involved in the immune escape of tumor cells. Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) transcribed in enhancer regions. They play an important role in transcriptional regulation, mainly during cellular differentiation. eRNAs are tightly tissue- and cell-type specific and are induced by specific stimuli, activating promoters of target genes in turn. eRNAs usually have a very short half-life but in some cases, once activated, they can be stably expressed and acquire additional functions. Due to their critical role, eRNAs are often dysregulated in cancer and growing number of interactions with chromatin modifiers, transcription factors, and splicing machinery have been described. Enhancer activation and eRNA transcription have particular relevance also in inflammatory response, placing the eRNAs at the interplay between cancer and immune cells. Here, we summarize all the possible molecular mechanisms recently reported in association with eRNAs activity.

Automated summary

This review provides an overview of the mechanisms by which enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) regulate gene expression, with a focus on the latest examples of dysregulated eRNAs in cancer and their involvement in the immune escape of tumor cells. eRNAs play an important role in transcriptional regulation during cellular differentiation and are induced by specific stimuli to activate target gene promoters. Dysregulation of eRNAs is common in cancer and they interact with chromatin modifiers, transcription factors, and splicing machinery. Activation of enhancers and eRNA transcription also play a significant role in inflammatory response and the interaction between cancer and immune cells.