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Multiple proteins interact with the fushi tarazu proximal enhancer
1Brookdale Center for Molecular Biology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Researchers identified key DNA-binding proteins controlling the fushi tarazu (ftz) gene expression in Drosophila embryos. These proteins bind to specific sites on the proximal enhancer, regulating the gene
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The segmentation gene fushi tarazu (ftz) in Drosophila is crucial for embryonic development.
- Its precise expression pattern is regulated transcriptionally by enhancer elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To biochemically identify DNA-binding proteins that regulate ftz gene expression via its proximal enhancer.
- To characterize the functional role of these protein-binding sites within the enhancer.
Main Methods:
- DNase I footprinting and methylation interference assays using Drosophila embryo nuclear extracts.
- Identification of sequence-specific DNA-binding complexes.
- Analysis of reporter gene expression in transgenic embryos with modified enhancer elements.
Main Results:
- Nine protein-binding sites were identified in the proximal enhancer region.
- Ten distinct sequence-specific DNA-binding complexes were characterized, interacting with eight of these sites.
- A minimal 323-bp enhancer fragment containing all binding sites directed ftz-like expression.
- Internal deletions of specific binding sites abolished reporter gene expression.
Conclusions:
- The ftz proximal enhancer interacts with multiple DNA-binding proteins to establish its seven-stripe expression pattern.
- These protein-DNA interactions are essential for regulating the transcription of the ftz gene during embryonic development.