LOC106728413 - Pomc distal enhancer region Gene

This region is comprised of two conserved elements that function as neuronal enhancers of the Pomc (proopiomelanocortin) gene, located approximately 10 kb downstream. The nPE1 element is distantly related to an MaLR family retroelement, while the nPE2 element is related to an ancient family of SINE elements. Intriguingly, both enhancers are active in the same cell types, despite deriving from distinct ancestral sequence and lacking significant sequence identity. Thus, these elements are an example of retroelement exaptation followed by convergent evolution of function. Although the two enhancers may act synergistically, nPE1 is the more active of the two, and its loss can cause obesity in vivo. These elements are regulated through binding of Estrogen receptor 1 and ISL LIM homeobox 1. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2015]