Abstract
Chromatin insulators are regulatory elements that block the action of transcriptional enhancers when interposed between enhancer and promoter. The Drosophila Suppressor of Hairy wing [Su(Hw)] protein binds the Su(Hw) insulator and prevents enhancer-promoter interaction by a mechanism that is not understood. We show that when two copies of the Su(Hw) insulator element, instead of a single one, are inserted between enhancer and promoter, insulator activity is neutralized and the enhancer-promoter interaction may instead be facilitated. This paradoxical phenomenon could be explained by interactions between protein complexes bound at the insulators.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters*
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Binding Sites
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Cell Nucleus / genetics
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism
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Chromatin / chemistry
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Chromatin / genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila / genetics*
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Enhancer Elements, Genetic*
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Eye Color / genetics
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Eye Proteins / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation*
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Genes, Insect
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Insect Proteins / genetics
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Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Pigmentation
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Promoter Regions, Genetic*
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Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid*
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Repressor Proteins
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Retroelements
Substances
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
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Chromatin
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Eye Proteins
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Insect Proteins
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Nuclear Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Retroelements
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su(Hw) protein, Drosophila
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w protein, Drosophila
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y protein, Drosophila