Genomic imprinting in Drosophila is maintained by the products of Suppressor of variegation and trithorax group, but not Polycomb group, genes

2002 ◽  
Vol 268 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Joanis ◽  
V. Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Imprinting ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes

E(z): a polycomb group gene or a trithorax group gene?

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (7) ◽  
pp. 2189-2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. LaJeunesse ◽  
A. Shearn
Keyword(s):  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Bithorax Complex ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes ◽  
Enhancer Of Zeste ◽  
Selector Genes ◽  
Homeotic Selector Genes ◽  
Polycomb Group Gene ◽  
Anterior Posterior ◽  
Homeotic Selector

The products of the Polycomb group of genes are cooperatively involved in repressing expression of homeotic selector genes outside of their appropriate anterior/posterior boundaries. Loss of maternal and/or zygotic function of Polycomb group genes results in the ectopic expression of both Antennapedia Complex and Bithorax Complex genes. The products of the trithorax group of genes are cooperatively involved in maintaining active expression of homeotic selector genes within their appropriate anterior/posterior boundaries. Loss of maternal and/or zygotic function of trithorax group genes results in reduced expression of both Antennapedia Complex and Bithorax Complex genes. Although Enhancer of zeste has been classified as a member of the Polycomb group, in this paper we show that Enhancer of zeste can also be classified as a member of the trithorax group. The requirement for Enhancer of zeste activity as either a trithorax group or Polycomb group gene depends on the homeotic selector gene locus as well as on spatial and temporal cues.

scholarly journals The Drosophila ash1 Gene Product, Which Is Localized at Specific Sites on Polytene Chromosomes, Contains a SET Domain and a PHD Finger

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
pp. 913-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Tripoulas ◽  
Dennis LaJeunesse ◽  
John Gildea ◽  
Allen Shearn
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Polytene Chromosomes ◽  
Protein Product ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Set Domain ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Phd Finger ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes ◽  
The Stability

Abstract The determined state of Drosophila imaginal discs depends on stable patterns of homeotic gene expression. The stability of these patterns requires the function of the ash1 gene, a member of the trithorax group. The primary translation product of the 7.5-kb ash1 transcript is predicted to be a basic protein of 2144 amino acids. The ASHl protein contains a SET domain and a PHD finger. Both of these motifs are found in the products of some trithorax group and Polycomb group genes. We have determined the nucleotide sequence alterations in 10 ash1 mutant alleles and have examined their mutant phenotype. The best candidate for a null allele is ashl  22. The truncated protein product of this mutant allele is predicted to contain only 47 amino acids. The ASHl protein is localized on polytene chromosomes of larval salivary glands at >100 sites. The chromosomal localization of ASHl implies that it functions at the transcriptional level to maintain the expression pattern of homeotic selector genes.

white+ Transgene Insertions Presenting a Dorsal/Ventral Pattern Define a Single Cluster of Homeobox Genes That Is Silenced by the Polycomb-group Proteins in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Netter ◽  
Marie-Odile Fauvarque ◽  
Ruth Diez del Corral ◽  
Jean-Maurice Dura ◽  
Dario Coen
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Position Effect ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Positional Information ◽  
Genomic Region ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Position Effect Variegation ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Clear Cut

AbstractWe used the white gene as an enhancer trap and reporter of chromatin structure. We collected white+ transgene insertions presenting a peculiar pigmentation pattern in the eye: white expression is restricted to the dorsal half of the eye, with a clear-cut dorsal/ventral (D/V) border. This D/V pattern is stable and heritable, indicating that phenotypic expression of the white reporter reflects positional information in the developing eye. Localization of these transgenes led us to identify a unique genomic region encompassing 140 kb in 69D1–3 subject to this D/V effect. This region contains at least three closely related homeobox-containing genes that are constituents of the iroquois complex (IRO-C). IRO-C genes are coordinately regulated and implicated in similar developmental processes. Expression of these genes in the eye is regulated by the products of the Polycomb -group (Pc-G) and trithorax-group (trx-G) genes but is not modified by classical modifiers of position-effect variegation. Our results, together with the report of a Pc -G binding site in 69D, suggest that we have identified a novel cluster of target genes for the Pc-G and trx-G products. We thus propose that ventral silencing of the whole IRO-C in the eye occurs at the level of chromatin structure in a manner similar to that of the homeotic gene complexes, perhaps by local compaction of the region into a heterochromatin-like structure involving the Pc-G products.

Regulation of proboscipedia in Drosophila by Homeotic Selector Genes

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-194
Author(s):  
Douglas B Rusch ◽  
Thomas C Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Accumulation Pattern ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes ◽  
Gap Genes ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Selector Genes

Abstract The gene proboscipedia (pb) is a member of the Antennapedia complex in Drosophila and is required for the proper specification of the adult mouthparts. In the embryo, pb expression serves no known function despite having an accumulation pattern in the mouthpart anlagen that is conserved across several insect orders. We have identified several of the genes necessary to generate this embryonic pattern of expression. These genes can be roughly split into three categories based on their time of action during development. First, prior to the expression of pb, the gap genes are required to specify the domains where pb may be expressed. Second, the initial expression pattern of pb is controlled by the combined action of the genes Deformed (Dfd), Sex combs reduced (Scr), cap'n'collar (cnc), and teashirt (tsh). Lastly, maintenance of this expression pattern later in development is dependent on the action of a subset of the Polycomb group genes. These interactions are mediated in part through a 500-bp regulatory element in the second intron of pb. We further show that Dfd protein binds in vitro to sequences found in this fragment. This is the first clear demonstration of autonomous positive cross-regulation of one Hox gene by another in Drosophila melanogaster and the binding of Dfd to a cis-acting regulatory element indicates that this control might be direct.

The Drosophila Polycomb-group gene Enhancer of zeste contains a region with sequence similarity to trithorax

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 6357-6366
Author(s):  
R S Jones ◽  
W M Gelbart
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Protein Product ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Acute Leukemias ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Acid Protein ◽  
Enhancer Of Zeste ◽  
Gene Enhancer ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

As is typical of Polycomb-group loci, the Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] gene negatively regulates the segment identity genes of the Antennapedia (ANT-C) and Bithorax (BX-C) gene complexes. A second class of loci, collectively known as the trithorax group, plays an antagonistic role as positive regulators of the ANT-C and BX-C genes. Molecular analysis of the E(z) gene predicts a 760-amino-acid protein product. A region of 116 amino acids near the E(z) carboxy terminus is 41.2% identical (68.4% similar) with a carboxy-terminal region of the trithorax protein. This portion of the trithorax protein is part of a larger region previously shown to share extensive homology with a human protein (ALL-1/Hrx) that is implicated in acute leukemias. Over this same 116 amino acids, E(z) and ALL-1/Hrx are 43.9% identical (68.4% similar). Otherwise, E(z) is not significantly similar to any previously described proteins. As this region of sequence similarity is shared by two proteins with antagonistic functions, we suggest that it may comprise a domain that interacts with a common target, either nucleic acid or protein. Opposite effects on transcription might then be determined by other portions of the two proteins.

Genetic interactions and dosage effects of Polycomb group genes in mice

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (18) ◽  
pp. 3543-3551 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bel ◽  
N. Core ◽  
M. Djabali ◽  
K. Kieboom ◽  
N. Van der Lugt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hox Genes ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Axial Skeleton ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Genetic Interactions ◽  
Homeotic Gene ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes ◽  
Dosage Effects ◽  
Somitic Mesoderm ◽  
Homeotic Gene Expression

In Drosophila and mouse, Polycomb group genes are involved in the maintenance of homeotic gene expression patterns throughout development. Here we report the skeletal phenotypes of compound mutants for two Polycomb group genes bmi1 and M33. We show that mice deficient for both bmi1 and M33 present stronger homeotic transformations of the axial skeleton as compared to each single Polycomb group mutant, indicating strong dosage interactions between those two genes. These skeletal transformations are accompanied with an enhanced shift of the anterior limit of expression of several Hox genes in the somitic mesoderm. Our results demonstrate that in mice the Polycomb group genes act in synergy to control the nested expression pattern of some Hox genes in somitic mesodermal tissues during development.

The domino gene of Drosophila encodes novel members of the SWI2/SNF2 family of DNA-dependent ATPases, which contribute to the silencing of homeotic genes

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (8) ◽  
pp. 1429-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Ruhf ◽  
A. Braun ◽  
O. Papoulas ◽  
J.W. Tamkun ◽  
N. Randsholt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polytene Chromosomes ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Protein Isoforms ◽  
Homeotic Genes ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
The Common ◽  
Hematopoietic Disorders

The Drosophila domino gene has been isolated in a screen for mutations that cause hematopoietic disorders. Generation and analysis of loss-of-function domino alleles show that the phenotypes are typical for proliferation gene mutations. Clonal analysis demonstrates that domino is necessary for cell viability and proliferation, as well as for oogenesis. domino encodes two protein isoforms of 3202 and 2498 amino acids, which contain a common N-terminal region but divergent C termini. The common region includes a 500 amino acid DNA-dependent ATPase domain of the SWI2/SNF2 family of proteins, which function via interaction with chromatin. We show that, although domino alleles do not exhibit homeotic phenotypes by themselves, domino mutations enhance Polycomb group mutations and counteract Trithorax group effects. The Domino proteins are present in large complexes in embryo extracts, and one isoform binds to a number of discrete sites on larval polytene chromosomes. Altogether, the data lead us to propose that domino acts as a repressor by interfering with chromatin structure. This activity is likely to be performed as a subunit of a chromatin-remodeling complex.

scholarly journals Polycomb Group Genes Psc and Su(z)2 Maintain Somatic Stem Cell Identity and Activity in Drosophila

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e52892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Rafael Morillo Prado ◽  
Xin Chen ◽  
Margaret T. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Somatic Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Identity ◽  
Polycomb Group Genes
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