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.
Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Andrey A
AA
Gorchakov
Artyom A
AA
Alekseyenko
Peter
P
Kharchenko
Peter J
PJ
Park
Mitzi I
MI
Kuroda
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