This region contains two conserved sequences and functions as a neuronal enhancer 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. Two subregions marked by the H3K4me1 histone modification were also shown to be active enhancers by ChIP-STARR-seq in human embryonic stem cells. The mouse orthologs of these elements can each function as enhancers in the hypothalamic neurons, despite lacking significant sequence identity. Thus, these elements are an example of retroelement exaptation followed by convergent evolution of function. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2022]