Transcription factors that activate the Ultrabithorax promoter in developmentally staged extracts

We have initiated a biochemical analysis of factors that regulate the expression of the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) homeotic gene during embryogenesis. Transcriptionally active extracts have been prepared from Drosophila embryos at successive stages of development that recreate in vitro the temporal profile...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCell Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 699 - 711
Main Authors Biggin, Mark D., Tjian, Robert
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, MA Elsevier Inc 03.06.1988
Cell Press
Subjects
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Drosophila melanogaster - embryology
Drosophila melanogaster - genetics
Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation
Genes, Homeobox
Molecular and cellular biology
Molecular genetics
Mutation
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Transcription Factors - metabolism
Transcription, Genetic
Embryonic development
Transcription promoter
Insecta
Activation
Gene expression
Drosophilidae
Regulation(control)
Arthropoda
Animal
Invertebrata
Transcription factor
Drosophila melanogaster
Diptera
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Summary:We have initiated a biochemical analysis of factors that regulate the expression of the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) homeotic gene during embryogenesis. Transcriptionally active extracts have been prepared from Drosophila embryos at successive stages of development that recreate in vitro the temporal profile of Ubx gene expression during embryogenesis. Multiple sequence-specific transcription factors have been detected that bind to essential cis control elements located upstream and downstream of the Ubx mRNA cap site. The activity of some of these transcription factors varies during embryogenesis, and some are detected in embryonic extracts but not in Drosophila tissue culture cells. One factor, which binds to multiple GAGA DNA sequence motifs in the Ubx promoter, has been purified and shown to activate transcription from this promoter in a binding site-dependent manner. This in vitro analysis should help in understanding how Ubx expression is regulated and provide insight into the processes determining cellular fates during development.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0092-8674
1097-4172
DOI:10.1016/0092-8674(88)90088-8