In situ dissection of a Polycomb response element in Drosophila melanogaster.
Genes of the Polycomb group maintain long-term, segment-specific repression of the homeotic genes in Drosophila. DNA targets of Polycomb group proteins, called Polycomb response elements (PREs), have been defined by several assays, but they have not been dissected in their original chromosomal context. An enhanced method of gene conversion was developed to generate a series of small, targeted deletions encompassing the best-studied PRE, upstream of the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) transcription unit in the bithorax complex. Deletions that removed an essential 185-bp core of the PRE caused anterior misexpression of Ubx and posterior segmental transformations, including the conversion of the third thoracic segment toward a duplicate first abdominal segment. These phenotypes were variable, suggesting some cooperation between this PRE and others in the bithorax complex. Larger deletions up to 3 kb were also created, which removed DNA sites reportedly needed for Ubx activation, including putative trithorax response elements. These deletions resulted in neither loss of Ubx expression nor loss-of-function phenotypes. Thus, the 3-kb region including the PRE is required for repression, but not for activation, of Ubx.
Sipos
László
L
Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary.
Kozma
Gabriella
G
Molnár
Eniko
E
Bender
Welcome
W
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010641:Phenotype; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020218:Response Elements / Q000235:genetics*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins