Transcriptional regulation by Modulo integrates meiosis and spermatid differentiation in male germ line.
Transcriptional activation in early spermatocytes involves hundreds of genes, many of which are required for meiosis and spermatid differentiation. A number of the meiotic-arrest genes have been identified as general regulators of transcription; however, the gene-specific transcription factors have remained elusive. To identify such factors, we purified the protein that specifically binds to the promoter of spermatid-differentiation gene Sdic and identified it as Modulo, the Drosophila homologue of nucleolin. Analysis of gene-expression patterns in the male sterile modulo mutant indicates that Modulo supports high expression of the meiotic-arrest genes and is essential for transcription of spermatid-differentiation genes. Expression of Modulo itself is under the control of meiotic-arrest genes and requires the DAZ/DAZL homologue Boule that is involved in the control of G(2)/M transition. Thus, regulatory interactions among Modulo, Boule, and the meiotic-arrest genes integrate meiosis and spermatid differentiation in the male germ line.
Mikhaylova
Lyudmila M
LM
Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Boutanaev
Alexander M
AM
Nurminsky
Dmitry I
DI
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C099859:bol protein, Drosophila; C117962:mod protein, Drosophila