MSL complex associates with clusters of actively transcribed genes along the Drosophila male X chromosome.
Dosage compensation in Drosophila serves as a model system for understanding the targeting of chromatin-modifying complexes to their sites of action. The MSL (male-specific lethal) complex up-regulates transcription of the single male X chromosome, thereby equalizing levels of transcription of X-linked genes between the sexes. Recruitment of the MSL complex to its binding sites on the male X chromosome requires each of the MSL proteins and at least one of the two large noncoding roX RNAs. To better understand how the MSL complex specifically targets the X chromosome, we have defined the binding using high-resolution genomic tiling arrays. Our results indicate that the MSL complex largely associates with transcribed genes that are present in clusters along the X chromosome. We hypothesize that after initial recruitment of the MSL complex to the X chromosome by unknown mechanisms, nascent transcripts or chromatin marks associated with active transcription attract the MSL complex to its final targets. Defining MSL-complex-binding sites will provide a tool for understanding functions of large noncoding RNAs that have remained elusive.
Larschan
E
E
Harvard-Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Alekseyenko
A A
AA
Lai
W R
WR
Park
P J
PJ
Kuroda
M I
MI
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D008297:Male; D008958:Models, Molecular; D005810:Multigene Family; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C082132:msl-1 protein, Drosophila; C094166:msl-2 protein, Drosophila; C093904:msl-3 protein, Drosophila