Transcriptional Timers Regulating Mitosis in Early Drosophila Embryos.

TitleTranscriptional Timers Regulating Mitosis in Early Drosophila Embryos.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsMomen-Roknabadi, A, Di Talia, S, Wieschaus, E
JournalCell Rep
Volume16
Issue11
Pagination2793-2801
Date Published2016 Sep 13
ISSN2211-1247
KeywordsAnimals, Base Pairing, Cell Lineage, Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila Proteins, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Enhancer Elements, Genetic, Gene Dosage, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Heterozygote, Mitosis, Mutation, Time Factors, Transcription Factors, Transcription, Genetic
Abstract

<p>The development of an embryo requires precise spatiotemporal regulation of cellular processes. During Drosophila gastrulation, a precise temporal pattern of cell division is encoded through transcriptional regulation of cdc25(string) in 25 distinct mitotic domains. Using a genetic screen, we demonstrate that the same transcription factors that regulate the spatial pattern of cdc25(string) transcription encode its temporal activation. We identify buttonhead and empty spiracles as the major activators of cdc25(string) expression in mitotic domain 2. The effect of these activators is balanced through repression by hairy, sloppy paired 1, and huckebein. Within the mitotic domain, temporal precision of mitosis is robust and unaffected by changing dosage of rate-limiting transcriptional factors. However, precision can be disrupted by altering the levels of the two activators or two repressors. We propose that the additive and balanced action of activators and repressors is a general strategy for precise temporal regulation of cellular transitions during development.</p>

DOI10.1016/j.celrep.2016.08.034
Alternate JournalCell Rep
PubMed ID27626650
PubMed Central IDPMC5386176
Grant ListR00 HD074670 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 HD015587 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
/ HHMI / Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States