Laura A. Lettice

Loop extrusion dynamics and cooperative activation independently regulate enhancer-driven transcription

The paper shows that loop extrusion and enhancer cooperativity independently affect enhancer-driven transcription through synthetic gene activation experiments.

Bystander activation across a TAD boundary supports a cohesin-dependent hub-model for enhancer function

The paper shows that some Shh enhancers can activate transcription of both Shh and Mnx1 genes across a TAD boundary, supporting a cohesin-dependent hub model for enhancer function.

Insights into Digit Evolution from a Fate Map Study of the Forearm

This study uses fate mapping in chickens to show SHH-expressing cells contribute to specific forearm bones, revealing differences in signaling between species and tissues.

Cohesin is required for long-range enhancer action

This study shows cohesin, but not CTCF, is required for activation of genes by distant enhancers, while close enhancers can function without cohesin.

A Highly Conserved Shh Enhancer Coordinates Hypothalamic and Craniofacial Development

This study shows that the conserved Shh enhancer SBE2 is critical for maintaining sufficient Shh expression in the rostral diencephalon, which is necessary for proper hypothalamic and craniofacial development.

Developmentally regulated Shh expression is robust to TAD perturbations

The paper shows that Shh expression remains robust to TAD perturbations during development, except when enhancers are deleted.