title: E(z): a polycomb group gene or a trithorax group gene?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: LaJeunesse
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shearn
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1; D013696:Temperature; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000196:embryology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D009698:Nucleoproteins; C059627:Scr protein, Drosophila; D014157:Transcription Factors; C063460:Trl protein, Drosophila; C072820:ph-d protein, Drosophila; C060849:z protein, Drosophila; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1; D001616:beta-Galactosidase