Zeste maintains repression of Ubx transgenes: Support for a new model of polycomb repression
- LBNL Library
During late embryogenesis, the expression domains of homeotic genes are maintained by two groups of ubiquitously expressed regulators: the Polycomb repressors and the Trithorax activators. It is not known how the activities of the two maintenance systems are initially targeted to the correct genes. Zeste and GAGA are sequence specific DNA binding proteins previously shown to be Trithorax group activators of the homeotic gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx). Here we demonstrate that Zeste and GAGA DNA binding sites at the proximal promoter are also required to maintain, but not to initiate, repression of Ubx. Further, the repression mediated by Zeste DNA binding site is abolished in zeste null embryos. These data imply that Zeste and probably GAGA mediate Polycomb repression. We present a model in which the dual transcriptional activities of Zeste and GAGA are an essential component of the mechanism that chooses which maintenance system is to be targeted to a given promoter.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy; National Science Foundation Grant R01-GM56803; Korea Research Foundation Genetic Engineering Research Grant 96-98, Life Phenomena and Function Research Grant 2000 (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 835803
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL--47450
- Journal Information:
- Development, Journal Name: Development Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 129
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
DNA-binding properties of the Drosophila melanogaster zeste gene product
Distinct parasegmental and imaginal enhancers and the establishment of the expression pattern of the Ubx gene