eRNAs and Superenhancer lncRNAs Are Functional in Human Prostate Cancer

Abstract EN

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in males worldwide.

lncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) play a significant role in the occurrence and development of PCa.

eRNAs (enhancer RNAs) and SE-lncRNAs (superenhancer lncRNAs) are important elements of lncRNAs, but the role of eRNAs and SE-lncRNAs in PCa remains largely unclear.

In this work, we identified 681 eRNAs and 292 SE-lncRNAs that were expressed differentially in PCa using a microarray.

We also found that eRNAs transcribed from active open chromatin had significantly higher expression than those from active closed chromatin, and SE-lncRNAs had a little higher expression than eRNAs.

Next, we constructed a transcriptional regulation network that eRNA-related enhancer and the target genes shared the same TF-binding motifs.

Further, we investigated whether CTCF played a role in mediating the transcriptional regulation network.

eRNAs, especially those that regulate androgen response genes, may be candidates for prognostic biomarkers and therapy targets.

Our work provides a new perspective for developing medical treatments and therapies for prostate cancer.