Roles of super enhancers and enhancer RNAs in skeletal muscle development and disease

Cell Cycle. 2023 Mar;22(5):495-505. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2129240. Epub 2022 Oct 2.

Abstract

Skeletal muscle development is a multistep biological process regulated by a variety of myogenic regulatory factors, including MyoG, MyoD, Myf5, and Myf6 (also known as MRF4), as well as members of the FoxO subfamily. Differentiation and regeneration during skeletal muscle myogenesis contribute to the physiological function of muscles. Super enhancers (SEs) and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are involved in the regulation of development and diseases. Few studies have identified the roles of SEs and eRNAs in muscle development and pathophysiology. To develop approaches to enhance skeletal muscle mass and function, a more comprehensive understanding of the key processes underlying muscular diseases is needed. In this review, we summarize the roles of SEs and eRNAs in muscle development and disease through affecting of DNA methylation, FoxO subfamily, RAS-MEK signaling, chromatin modifications and accessibility, MyoD and cis regulating target genes. The summary could inform strategies to increase muscle mass and treat muscle-related diseases.

Keywords: Development; differentiation; enhancer RNAs; skeletal muscle; super enhancers.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Muscle Development / genetics
  • Muscle, Skeletal* / physiology
  • MyoD Protein / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors* / genetics
  • RNA

Substances

  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • RNA
  • MyoD Protein

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (grant number 2021A1515010862), the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (grant numbers 202102080042, 202102080224), the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangdong Province (grant numbers 20211020), the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (grant number A2022216, B2021221), and the Science Foundation of Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital (grant number 3D-B2020015).