Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulating hedgehog expression in the Drosophila wing.
Stable subdivision of Drosophila limbs into Anterior (A) and Posterior (P) compartments is a consequence of asymmetric signaling by Hedgehog (Hh) from P to A cells. The activity of the homeodomain protein Engrailed (En) in P cells has been reported to help to generate this asymmetry by inducing the expression of hedgehog and simultaneously repressing the expression of the essential downstream component of the Hh signaling pathway Cubitus interruptus (Ci). In A cells, Ci has a major role in the repression of hh. Here we have revised the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of hh in the P compartment. First, we present evidence that hh expression in P cells is a consequence of the repression of ci by the activity of En. Thus, in the absence of Ci and En activities, cells do express hh. We also present data supporting the maintenance of hh expression in P cells through epigenetic mechanisms, and a permissive role of Notch signaling in this process. Notch and Trithorax (TrxG) group of proteins exert their action through a previously defined hh Polycomb Responsive Element (PRE).
Bejarano
Fernando
F
ICREA and Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Parc Cientific de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Milán
Marco
M
D000818:Animals; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C063459:En protein, Drosophila; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C497759:N protein, Drosophila; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D014157:Transcription Factors; C092937:ci protein, Drosophila; C512571:trx protein, Drosophila; C077245:hh protein, Drosophila