The drosophila MSL complex acetylates histone H4 at lysine 16, a chromatin modification linked to dosage compensation.

ABSTRACT: In Drosophila, dosage compensation-the equalization of most X-linked gene products in males and females-is achieved by a twofold enhancement of the level of transcription of the X chromosome in males relative to each X chromosome in females. A complex consisting of at least five gene products preferentially binds the X chromosome at numerous sites in males and results in a significant increase in the presence of a specific histone isoform, histone 4 acetylated at lysine 16. Recently, RNA transcripts (roX1 and roX2) encoded by two different genes have also been found associated with the X chromosome in males. We have partially purified a complex containing MSL1, -2, and -3, MOF, MLE, and roX2 RNA and demonstrated that it exclusively acetylates H4 at lysine 16 on nucleosomal substrates. Thes

SUBMITTER: Smith ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC85086 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature