title: Analysis of the ftz upstream element: germ layer-specific enhancers are independently autoregulated.
abstract: The Drosophila fushi tarazu (ftz) upstream element is an enhancer-like element that is required for the correct expression of ftz in developing embryos and that directs transcription from a minimal promoter in a ftz-like seven-striped pattern. Using a deletion analysis, we have identified several independent cis-regulatory elements in the upstream element. A distal enhancer directs fusion gene expression in seven stripes primarily in the mesoderm. A more complex proximal enhancer contains a mesodermally active element and a second element with which it interacts to generate seven stripes in the ectoderm. Striped expression directed by each enhancer is ftz-dependent, and each contains binding sites for purified ftz homeo domain. We suggest that ftz protein acts in combination with germ layer-restricted transcription factors directly and positively to regulate the transcription of its own gene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pick
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Affolter
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Glenewinkel
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Gehring
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C497169:ftz protein, Drosophila