The Hox gene Abdominal-B uses DoublesexF as a cofactor to promote neuroblast apoptosis in the Drosophila central nervous system.

ABSTRACT: Highly conserved DM domain-containing transcription factors (Doublesex/MAB-3/DMRT1) are responsible for generating sexually dimorphic features. In the Drosophila central nervous system, a set of Doublesex (Dsx)-expressing neuroblasts undergo apoptosis in females whereas their male counterparts proliferate and give rise to serotonergic neurons crucial for adult mating behaviour. Our study demonstrates that the female-specific isoform of Dsx collaborates with Hox gene Abdominal-B (Abd-B) to bring about this apoptosis. Biochemical results suggest that proteins AbdB and Dsx interact through their highly conserved homeodomain and DM domain, respectively. This interaction is translated into a cooperative binding of the two proteins on the apoptotic enhancer in the case of females but not in the

SUBMITTER: Ghosh N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6737903 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature