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 comparison | Enhancer | Promoter |
Role | Enhances or increases rate of gene transcription by bringing transcription factors closer to promoters | Determines where and in what direction transcription occurs |
Location | Can be either downstream or upstream in relation to the transcription initiation site | Is always upstream in relation to the transcription initiation site |
Proximity to transcription initiation site | Does not need to be in close proximity to the transcription initiation site | Needs to be in close proximity to the transcription initiation site |
Binds with | Transcription factors only | Transcription factors and RNA polymerase enzyme |
Importance | May be associated with diseases such as Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Colorectal Cancer | May be associated with diseases such as asthma and beta-thalassemia |
Examples | PEE, HACNS1 | hTERT(human telomerase reverse transcriptase), PEG-3 promoter |
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