Title | The boundary paradox in the Bithorax complex. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Kyrchanova, O, Mogila, V, Wolle, D, Magbanua, JPaolo, White, R, Georgiev, P, Schedl, P |
Journal | Mech Dev |
Volume | 138 Pt 2 |
Issue | Pt 2 |
Pagination | 122-132 |
Date Published | 2015 Nov |
ISSN | 1872-6356 |
Keywords | Animals, Chromatin, Drosophila, Drosophila Proteins, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Genes, Homeobox, Genes, Insect, Insulator Elements, Promoter Regions, Genetic |
Abstract | <p>The parasegment-specific expression of the three Drosophila Bithorax complex homeotic genes is orchestrated by nine functionally autonomous regulatory domains. Functional autonomy depends upon special elements called boundaries or insulators that are located between each domain. The boundaries ensure the independent activity of each domain by blocking adventitious interactions with initiators, enhancers and silencers in the neighboring domains. However, this blocking activity poses a regulatory paradox--the Bithorax boundaries are also able to insulate promoters from regulatory interactions with enhancers and silencers and six of the nine Bithorax regulatory domains are separated from their target genes by at least one boundary element. Here we consider several mechanisms that have been suggested for how the Bithorax regulatory domains are able to bypass intervening boundary elements and direct the appropriate parasegment-specific temporal and spatial expression of their target gene.</p> |
DOI | 10.1016/j.mod.2015.07.002 |
Alternate Journal | Mech Dev |
PubMed ID | 26215349 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4890074 |
Grant List | 089834/Z/09/Z / / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom R01 GM043432 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States R56 GM043432 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States NIH GM043432 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States / / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom |