Chromatin accessibility plays a key role in selective targeting of Hox proteins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hox transcription factors specify segmental diversity along the anterior-posterior body axis in metazoans. While the different Hox family members show clear functional specificity in vivo, they all show similar binding specificity in vitro and a satisfactory understanding of in vivo Hox target selectivity is still lacking.

Results

Using transient transfection in Kc167 cells, we systematically analyze the binding of all eight Drosophila Hox proteins. We find that Hox proteins show considerable binding selectivity in vivo even in the absence of canonical Hox cofactors Extradenticle and Homothorax. Hox binding selectivity is strongly associated with chromatin accessibility, being highest in less accessible chromatin. Individual Hox proteins exhibit different propensi

SUBMITTER: Porcelli D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6547607 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature