Long-range spreading of dosage compensation in Drosophila captures transcribed autosomal genes inserted on X.
Dosage compensation in Drosophila melanogaster males is achieved via targeting of male-specific lethal (MSL) complex to X-linked genes. This is proposed to involve sequence-specific recognition of the X at approximately 150-300 chromatin entry sites, and subsequent spreading to active genes. Here we ask whether the spreading step requires transcription and is sequence-independent. We find that MSL complex binds, acetylates, and up-regulates autosomal genes inserted on X, but only if transcriptionally active. We conclude that a long-sought specific DNA sequence within X-linked genes is not obligatory for MSL binding. Instead, linkage and transcription play the pivotal roles in MSL targeting irrespective of gene origin and DNA sequence.
Gorchakov
Andrey A
AA
Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Alekseyenko
Artyom A
AA
Kharchenko
Peter
P
Park
Peter J
PJ
Kuroda
Mitzi I
MI
D000818:Animals; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins