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AAT Bioquest

What's the difference between an enhancer and a promoter?

Posted December 7, 2020


Answer

Enhancers and promoters are short pieces or sequences of DNA. An enhancer works to enhance or speed up the rate of genetic transcription, while a promoter acts to initiate the process of genetic transcription. These are the key differences between an enhancer and a promoter:

Basis for comparisonEnhancerPromoter
RoleEnhances or increases rate of gene transcription by bringing transcription factors closer to promotersDetermines where and in what direction transcription occurs
LocationCan be either downstream or upstream in relation to the transcription initiation siteIs always upstream in relation to the transcription initiation site
Proximity to transcription initiation siteDoes not need to be in close proximity to the transcription initiation siteNeeds to be in close proximity to the transcription initiation site
Binds withTranscription factors onlyTranscription factors and RNA polymerase enzyme
ImportanceMay be associated with diseases such as Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Colorectal CancerMay be associated with diseases such as asthma and beta-thalassemia
ExamplesPEE, HACNS1hTERT(human telomerase reverse transcriptase), PEG-3 promoter
Additional resources

Promoter or enhancer, what's the difference? Deconstruction of established distinctions and presentation of a unifying model