title: Distinct contributions of MSL complex subunits to the transcriptional enhancement responsible for dosage compensation in Drosophila.
abstract: The regulatory mechanism of dosage compensation is the paramount example of epigenetic regulation at the chromosomal level. In Drosophila, this mechanism, designed to compensate for the difference in the dosage of X-linked genes between the sexes, depends on the MSL complex that enhances the transcription of the single dose of these genes in males. We have investigated the function of various subunits of the complex in mediating dosage compensation. Our results confirm that the highly enriched specific acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 of compensated genes by the histone acetyl transferase subunit MOF induces a more disorganized state of their chromatin. We have determined that the association of the MSL complex reduces the level of negative supercoiling of the deoxyribonucleic acid of compensated genes, and we have defined the role that the other subunits of the complex play in this topological modification. Lastly, we have analyzed the potential contribution of ISWI-containing remodeling complexes to the architecture of compensated chromatin, and we suggest a role for this remodeling factor in dosage compensation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dunlap
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Huiping
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: He-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cugusi
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lucchesi
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006657:Histones; C086468:ISWI protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009707:Nucleosomes; D021122:Protein Subunits; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; C111063:mof protein, Drosophila; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases