Enhancers can become dysregulated in cancer through various mechanisms:
1. Genetic Mutations: Point mutations within enhancer regions can either enhance or impair their activity. 2. Epigenetic Modifications: Changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications can alter enhancer activity, leading to changes in gene expression. 3. Structural Variations: Chromosomal rearrangements, such as inversions and translocations, can place enhancers near oncogenes, thereby activating them inappropriately. 4. Copy Number Variations: Amplification of enhancer regions can lead to increased expression of target genes.
