Identification of target genes regulated by homeotic proteins in Drosophila melanogaster through genetic selection of Ultrabithorax protein-binding sites in yeast

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Genetics

OSTI ID:255344

Mastick, G S; McKay, R; Oligino, T ^[1]

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1. Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States); and others

A method based on the transcriptional activation of a selectable reporter in yeast cells was used to identify genes regulated by the Utrabithorax homeoproteins in Drosophila melanogaster. Fifty-three DNA fragments that can mediate activation by UBX isoform Ia in this test were recovered after screening 15% of the Drosophila genome. Half of these fragments represent single-copy sequences in the genome. Six single-copy fragments were investigated in detail, and each was found to reside near a transcription unit whose expression in the embryo is segmentally modulated as expected for targets of homeotic genes. Four of these putative target genes are expressed in patterns that suggest roles in the development of regional specializations within mesoderm derivatives; in three cases these expression patterns depend on Ultrabithorax function. Extrapolation from this pilot study indicates that 85-170 candidate target genes can be identified by screening the entire Drosophila genome with UBX isoform Ia. With appropriate modifications, this approach should be applicable to other transcriptional regulators in diverse organisms. 69 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 255344
• Journal Information: Genetics, Journal Name: Genetics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 139; ISSN GENTAE; ISSN 0016-6731
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
DNA SEQUENCING
DNA-CLONING
DROSOPHILA
GENE MUTATIONS
GENE REGULATION
GENES
ONTOGENESIS
PROTEINS
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
TRANSCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
YEASTS