Functional synthetic Antennapedia genes and the dual roles of YPWM motif and linker size in transcriptional activation and repression.

ABSTRACT: Segmental identity along the anteroposterior axis of bilateral animals is specified by Hox genes. These genes encode transcription factors, harboring the conserved homeodomain and, generally, a YPWM motif, which binds Hox cofactors and increases Hox transcriptional specificity in vivo. Here we derive synthetic Drosophila Antennapedia genes, consisting only of the YPWM motif and homeodomain, and investigate their functional role throughout development. Synthetic peptides and full-length Antennapedia proteins cause head-to-thorax transformations in the embryo, as well as antenna-to-tarsus and eye-to-wing transformations in the adult, thus converting the entire head to a mesothorax. This conversion is achieved by repression of genes required for head and antennal development and ectopic activ

SUBMITTER: Papadopoulos DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3141989 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature