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A model for extradenticle function as a switch that changes HOX proteins from repressors to activators
J Pinsonneault1, B Florence, H Vaessin
1Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA.
The EMBO Journal
|April 15, 1997
Summary
The Drosophila EXD protein is crucial for activating Dfd gene expression, acting as a general cofactor for HOX proteins to enable transcriptional activation, not repression.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- HOX proteins regulate body plan development.
- EXD and PBX proteins are proposed to mediate HOX target selectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of EXD in Dfd gene autoactivation.
- To elucidate the mechanism of EXD/PBX action in HOX protein function.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of exd mutant embryos.
- Mutagenesis of an autoactivation element.
- Assessing embryonic activity and gene expression changes.
Main Results:
- EXD is required for the autoactivation of Dfd expression in the posterior head.
- EXD and DFD proteins directly activate an autoactivation element.
- EXD/PBX proteins are essential for HOX transcriptional activation but not repression.
Conclusions:
- EXD acts as a general cofactor for HOX proteins, enabling transcriptional activation.
- EXD may interact broadly with HOX proteins to facilitate their activation function.