title: The YPWM motif links Antennapedia to the basal transcriptional machinery.
abstract: HOX genes specify segment identity along the anteroposterior axis of the embryo. They code for transcription factors harbouring the highly conserved homeodomain and a YPWM motif, situated amino terminally to it. Despite their highly diverse functions in vivo, HOX proteins display similar biochemical properties in vitro, raising the question of how this specificity is achieved. In our study, we investigated the importance of the Antennapedia (Antp) YPWM motif for homeotic transformations in adult Drosophila. By ectopic overexpression, the head structures of the fly can be transformed into structures of the second thoracic segment, such as antenna into second leg, head capsule into thorax (notum) and eye into wing. We found that the YPWM motif is absolutely required for the eye-to-wing transformation. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we were able to identify a novel ANTP-interacting protein, Bric-à-brac interacting protein 2 (BIP2), that specifically interacts with the YPWM motif of ANTP in vitro, as well as in vivo, transforming eye to wing tissue. BIP2 is a TATA-binding protein associated factor (also known as dTAFII3) that links ANTP to the basal transcriptional machinery.
authors: Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Prince
authors: Tomonori
authors: T
authors: Katsuyama
authors: Yoshiteru
authors: Y
authors: Oshima
authors: Serge
authors: S
authors: Plaza
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Resendez-Perez
authors: Meera
authors: M
authors: Berry
authors: Shoichiro
authors: S
authors: Kurata
authors: Walter J
authors: WJ
authors: Gehring
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D051943:Antennapedia Homeodomain Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054910:Compound Eye, Arthropod / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva; D035362:Transcription Factor TFIID / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D051943:Antennapedia Homeodomain Protein; C432688:BIP2 protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D035362:Transcription Factor TFIID