In B-cells, super-silencers originally help activate important genes during early development. Later, they switch roles and become powerful silencers in mature B cells. Super-silencers help control gene activity in healthy B-cells, but when they malfunction or mutate, they may drive the development of B-cell cancers. In healthy, mature B cells, super-silencers keep developmental genes switched off to maintain cell identity. When disrupted by mutation or malfunction, these elements can reverse their role and contribute to the development of B-cell cancers.
- Di Huang
- Hanna M. Petrykowska
- Ivan Ovcharenko