DNA-binding properties of the Drosophila melanogaster zeste gene product

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.8.2.615· OSTI ID:5087412

Mansukhani, A; Crickmore, A; Sherwood, P W; Goldberg, M L

The ability of the zeste moiety of ..beta..-galactosidase-zeste fusion proteins synthesized in Escherichia coli to bind specific DNA sequences was examined. Such fusion proteins recognize a region of the white locus upstream of the start of transcription; this region has previously been shown to be required for genetic interaction between the zeste and white loci. Another strong biding site was localized to a region between 50 and 205 nucleotides before the start of the Ubx transcriptional unit; expression of the bithorax complex is also known to be influenced by the zeste locus. Weaker binding sites were also seen in the vicinity of the bxd and Sgs-4 genes, but it is currently unclear whether these binding sites play a role in transvection effects. The DNA-binding activity of the zeste protein is restricted to a domain of approximately 90 amino acids near the N terminus. This domain does not appear to contain homebox or zinc finger motifs found in other DNA-binding proteins. The DNA-binding domain is not disrupted by any currently characterized zeste mutations.

• Research Organization: Section of Genetics and Development, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853 (US)
• OSTI ID: 5087412
• Journal Information: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States), Vol. 8:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DNA
CHEMICAL BONDS
DROSOPHILA
MUTATIONS
DNA SEQUENCING
GENE RECOMBINATION PROTEINS
GENETIC MAPPING
HYBRIDIZATION
PHENOTYPE
TRANSCRIPTION
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
DIPTERA
FLIES
FRUIT FLIES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
MAPPING
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOPROTEINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
550400* - Genetics
550700 - Microbiology