Project description:Although the majority of genomic binding sites for the insulator protein CTCF are constitutively occupied, a subset show variable occupancy. Such variable sites provide an opportunity to assess context-specific CTCF functions in gene regulation. Here we have identified a variably occupied CTCF site in the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) gene in Drosophila. This site is occupied in tissues where Ubx is active (third thoracic imaginal leg disc) but is not bound in tissues where the Ubx gene is repressed (first thoracic imaginal leg disc).
Project description:Although the majority of genomic binding sites for the insulator protein CTCF are constitutively occupied, a subset show variable occupancy. Such variable sites provide an opportunity to assess context-specific CTCF functions in gene regulation. Here we have identified a variably occupied CTCF site in the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) gene in Drosophila. This site is occupied in tissues where Ubx is active (third thoracic imaginal leg disc) but is not bound in tissues where the Ubx gene is repressed (first thoracic imaginal leg disc). Comparison of CTCF binding in T1 leg disc vs T3 leg disc in from 3rd instar larva
Project description:Hox proteins have been proposed to act at multiple levels within regulatory hierarchies and to directly control the expression of a plethora of target genes. However, for any specific Hox protein or tissue, very few direct in vivo-regulated target genes have been identified. Here, we have identified target genes of the Hox protein Ultrabithorax (UBX), which modifies the genetic regulatory network of the wing to generate the haltere, a modified hindwing. We used whole-genome microarrays and custom arrays including all predicted transcription factors and signaling molecules in the D. melanogaster genome to identify differentially expressed genes in wing and haltere imaginal discs. To elucidate the regulation of selected genes in more detail, we isolated cis-regulatory elements (CREs) for genes that were specifically expressed in either the wing disc or haltere disc. We demonstrate that UBX binds directly to sites in one element, and these sites are critical for activation in the haltere disc. These results indicate that haltere and metathoracic segment morphology is not achieved merely by turning off the wing and mesothoracic development programs, but rather specific genes must also be activated to form these structures. The evolution of haltere morphology involved changes in UBX-regulated target genes, both positive and negative, throughout the wing genetic regulatory network. Keywords: tissue comparison
Project description:We profiled the chromatin accessibility, transcription factor binding, and gene expression in the homologous wing and haltere imaginal disc of Drosophila melanogaster, which are distinguished by the expression of the Hox protein Ultrabithorax (Ubx). Through the analysis of chromatin changes, we show Ubx has widespread effects on the chromatin landscape to specify cell identity.
Project description:High-throughput sequencing of Drosophila melanogaster small RNAs from imaginal disc / brain, female body and male body. total RNA, ~18-26nt RNAs isolated using PAGE, ligation to adapters requires 5' monophosphate and 3' OH Keywords: small RNA discovery and profiling For data usage terms and conditions, please refer to http://www.genome.gov/27528022 and http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Research/ENCODE/ENCODEDataReleasePolicyFinal2008.pdf
Project description:The systemic response to injury in Drosophila melanogaster is characterized by the activation of specific signaling pathways that facilitate the regeneration of wounded tissue and help coordinate wound healing with organism growth. The mechanisms by which damaged tissues influence the development and function of peripheral non-injured tissues is not fully understood. Injury was induced in early third instar larvae via temperature-dependent cell death in wing imaginal discs. Microarray analysis using RNA isolated from injured and control was used to identify genes underlying the systemic injury response. We identified 150 genes which were differentially expressed in response to localized cell death in wing imaginal discs. Upregulated genes were associated biological processes including carnitine biosynthesis, signal transduction and regulation of oxidoreductase activity while terms associated with downregulated genes included wound healing, imaginal disc-derived wing hair outgrowth, and regulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Pathway analysis revealed that wing disc damage led to changes in fatty acid, cysteine, and carnitine metabolism. One gene, 14-3-3ζ, which encodes a known regulator of Ras/MAPK signaling was identified as a potential regulator of transdetermination during tissue regeneration. Our results raise the possibility that immune function and cell proliferation during wing disc repair and regeneration in Drosophila may require the sulfur amino acid cysteine and its’ metabolites, taurine and glutathione, similar to what has been reported during tissue repair in mammals. Further, it seems likely that imaginal disc damage stimulates the mobilization of fatty acids to support the energetically demanding process of tissue regeneration. The roles of additional genes that are differentially regulated following imaginal disc injury remain to be elucidated.