The PAS domain confers target gene specificity of Drosophila bHLH/PAS proteins.

ABSTRACT: Trachealess (Trh) and Single-minded (Sim) are highly similar Drosophila bHLH/PAS transcription factors. They activate nonoverlapping target genes and induce diverse cell fates. A single Drosophila gene encoding a bHLH/PAS protein homologous to the vertebrate ARNT protein was isolated and may serve as a partner for both Trh and Sim. We show that Trh and Sim complexes recognize similar DNA-binding sites in the embryo. To examine the basis for their distinct target gene specificity, the activity of Trh-Sim chimeric proteins was monitored in embryos. Replacement of the Trh PAS domain by the analogous region of Sim was sufficient to convert it into a functional Sim protein. The PAS domain thus mediates all the features conferring specificity and the distinct recognition of target genes. The nor

SUBMITTER: Zelzer E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC316449 | biostudies-literature | 1997 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature