title: The Polycomb and trithorax group proteins of Drosophila: trans-regulators of homeotic gene function.
abstract: The Polycomb and trithorax group genes encode trans-regulators of homeotic gene function in Drosophila. The Polycomb group genes encode transcriptional repressors, while the trithorax group proteins are positive factors required for homeotic gene function. Among the Polycomb group proteins, the POLYCOMB protein has been most extensively characterized. The POLYCOMB protein contains a chromodomain, a conserved domain found in a Drosophila protein with effects on position-effect variegation. Among the trithorax group proteins characterized, the BRAHMA protein appears to be a subunit of a protein complex conserved from yeast to man (the SNF/SWI complex) that modifies chromatin to facilitate the transcriptional activation by gene-specific DNA-binding proteins. The ZESTE protein may help to activate transcription by bringing distant cis-regulatory elements closer to promoter-bound proteins.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2785, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kennison
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C066770:Pc protein, Drosophila; D011506:Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C063460:Trl protein, Drosophila; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1