The Promoter Targeting Sequence mediates epigenetically heritable transcription memory.
Large gene complexes frequently use "specialized" DNA elements to ensure proper regulation of gene activities. The Promoter Targeting Sequence (PTS) from the Abdominal-B locus of the Drosophila Bithorax complex overcomes an insulator, and facilitates, yet restricts, distant enhancers to a single promoter. We found that this promoter-targeting activity is independent of an enhancer's tissue or temporal specificity, and can be remembered in all somatic cells in the absence of promoter activation. It requires an insulator for its establishment, but can be maintained by the PTS in the absence of an insulator. More importantly, the promoter-targeting activity can be remembered after the transgene is translocated to new chromosomal locations. These results suggest that promoter targeting is established independent of enhancer activity, and is maintained epigenetically throughout development and subsequent generations.
Lin
Qing
Q
The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Chen
Qi
Q
Lin
Lan
L
Zhou
Jumin
J
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002875:Chromosomes; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D038101:Insulator Elements; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C062393:Abd-B proteins, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins