Understanding super enhancers in genome architecture and their roles in livestock breeding
Super enhancers (SEs) are crucial regulatory elements in the genome that determine cell identity and fate commitment through mechanisms such as recruiting transcription factors (TFs), interacting with super enhancers RNAs (seRNAs), and phase separation. This ensures accurate gene expression in response to both environmental and intrinsic signals. Advances in 3D genome architecture have further illuminated how SEs are organized and regulated within the nucleus, thereby enhancing our understanding of their function. Recent innovations in genomic technologies, including chromatin accessibility, CRISPR-Cas9, 3 C-based methods and imaging methods, have revolutionized the study of SEs. These technologies have facilitated precise mapping and functional characterization, providing deeper insights into how SEs influence gene regulation. In particular, these advancements offer promising potential for exploring SE dynamics in livestock improvement, opening avenues for the enhancement of agricultural and breeding practices.
Authors
- Xiukai Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1846-8168)
- Zexuan Hong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6467-3787)
- Ping Qian
- Jie Cheng
- Yuee Gao
- Bizhi Huang
- Kai Yang
- Xudong Tang
Institutions
- Academe of Grassland And Animal Science (CN)
- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Ministry of Agriculture (CA)
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Sericultural Research Institute (CN)
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (CN)
- Yangzhou University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Genomics
- Published
- 2026-05-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-12891-9
- Primary Topic
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
- National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China