A multiscale investigation of bicoid-dependent transcriptional events in Drosophila embryos.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Morphogen molecules form concentration gradients to provide spatial information to cells in a developing embryo. Precisely how cells decode such information to form patterns with sharp boundaries remains an open question. For example, it remains controversial whether the Drosophila morphogenetic protein Bicoid (Bcd) plays a transient or sustained role in activating its target genes to establish sharp expression boundaries during development.

Methodology/principal findings

In this study, we describe a method to simultaneously detect Bcd and the nascent transcripts of its target genes in developing embryos. This method allows us to investigate the relationship between Bcd and the transcriptional status of individual copies of its target genes on distinct scales. We

SUBMITTER: He F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3081338 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature