«Because many broadly expressed genes that play key roles in essential cellular functions are under the control of
cell - specific enhancers, the ability to
affect enhancer function by knocking down eRNAs could potentially provide a new strategy for altering gene expression in vivo in a
cell - specific manner,» said Glass, noting that in his research, anti-sense oligonucleotides were developed in conjunction with Isis Pharmaceuticals, which suppressed enhancer activity and reduced expression in
nearby genes.