Understanding the Regulatory Features of Co-regulated Genes Using Distant Regulatory Elements (DiRE) Genomic Tool in Health and Disease

Abstract

Regulation of gene expression is a complex process which require several players working together in different time and space in a cell or tissue level. In eukaryotes, gene expression regulation is maintained by a complicated dynamic interplay between proximal promoters and distal regulatory elements (REs) such as repressors and enhancers and transcription factors (TFs). TFs are an important regulator of various life processes and diseases. Ample evidence now suggests that the regulatory networks and the interactions between target binding sites and various TFs play pivotal role in several diseases including cancers. TFs also play a key role in differential gene expression which has proven important in understanding the biological differences between healthy and diseased states. In this book chapter, we discuss about a genomic tool named DiRE which can predict distant REs based on transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). It possesses a unique capacity to detect REs beyond regions of proximal promoter. DiRE can predict common REs in the coregulated genes. Here we describe step by step method to use this tool. At last, we also discuss the advantages and possible limitation of this tool use for genomic applications.