Project description:To study the influence of POF on transcription in testis we made expression arrays from dissected testes (Pof mutants and wild type control). It is clear that POF mainly alters the expression of genes on the fourth chromosome Keywords: mutant analysis
Project description:In Drosophila melanogaster, two chromosome-specific targeting and regulatory systems have been described. The male-specific lethal (MSL) complex supports dosage compensation by stimulating gene expression from the male X-chromosome and the protein Painting of fourth (POF) specifically targets and stimulates expression from the heterochromatic 4th chromosome. The targeting sites of both systems are well characterized, but the principles underlying the targeting mechanisms have remained elusive. Here we present an original observation, namely that POF specifically targets two loci on the X-chromosome, PoX1 and PoX2 (POF-on-X). PoX1 and PoX2 are located close to the roX1 and roX2 genes, which encode ncRNAs important for the correct targeting and spreading of the MSL-complex. We also found that the targeting of POF to PoX1 and PoX2 is largely dependent on roX expression and identified a high-affinity target region which ectopically recruits POF. The results presented support a model linking the MSL-complex to POF and dosage compensation to regulation of heterochromatin.
Project description:Analysis of gene expression in pof deletion mutants. Chromosome 4 genes are down-regulated in pof mutants compared to wildtype control. 200 Drosophila melanogaster first instar larvae were used for each of three biological replicates of y1 w67c23; PofD119/PofD119 and three biological replicates of y1 w67c23 as controls. Keywords: Mutant vs Wt expression
