title: A mosaic genetic screen reveals distinct roles for trithorax and polycomb group genes in Drosophila eye development.
abstract: The wave of differentiation that traverses the Drosophila eye disc requires rapid transitions in gene expression that are controlled by a number of signaling molecules also required in other developmental processes. We have used a mosaic genetic screen to systematically identify autosomal genes required for the normal pattern of photoreceptor differentiation, independent of their requirements for viability. In addition to genes known to be important for eye development and to known and novel components of the Hedgehog, Decapentaplegic, Wingless, Epidermal growth factor receptor, and Notch signaling pathways, we identified several members of the Polycomb and trithorax classes of genes encoding general transcriptional regulators. Mutations in these genes disrupt the transitions between zones along the anterior-posterior axis of the eye disc that express different combinations of transcription factors. Different trithorax group genes have very different mutant phenotypes, indicating that target genes differ in their requirements for chromatin remodeling, histone modification, and coactivation factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Janody
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jahren
authors.forename: Dennis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hazelett
authors.forename: Aude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benlali
authors.forename: Grant I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Draskovic
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Treisman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005123:Eye / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009030:Mosaicism; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000254:growth & development; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C066770:Pc protein, Drosophila; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1