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Cotranscriptional recruitment of the dosage compensation complex to X-linked target genes

Jop Kind1, Asifa Akhtar

  • 1European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany.

Genes & Development
|August 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Dosage compensation in Drosophila relies on the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex targeting active X-linked genes. MSL complex recruitment is reversible and depends on transcription, with targeting cues located at the gene

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Chromosomal Biology

Background:

  • Dosage compensation balances X-linked gene expression between sexes.
  • In Drosophila, the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex targets the male X chromosome for this process.
  • Understanding MSL complex targeting mechanisms is crucial for comprehending gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of MSL complex targeting to X-chromosomal genes.
  • To determine the relationship between gene transcription and MSL complex recruitment.
  • To identify the location and dependencies of targeting cues.

Main Methods:

  • Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) on transgenic Drosophila.
  • Immuno-fluorescence in situ hybridization (immuno-FISH) analysis.
  • Analysis of specific X-chromosomal genes (mof and CG3016).

Main Results:

  • MSL complex recruitment is dependent on the transcriptional activity of X-linked genes.
  • MSL complex binding is reversible, decreasing significantly upon blocking transcription.
  • Targeting cues are located towards the 3' end of genes and rely on transcription machinery passage.

Conclusions:

  • Gene transcription is essential for MSL complex targeting to the X chromosome.
  • The dynamic binding of the MSL complex is influenced by transcription-dependent exposed DNA elements.
  • A model for dynamic MSL complex binding to active genes is proposed.

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