Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins repress homeotic genes in cells where these genes must remain inactive during development. This repression requires cis-acting silencers, also called PcG response elements. Currently, these silencers are ill-defined sequences and it is not known how PcG proteins associate with DNA. Here, we show that the Drosophila PcG protein Pleiohomeotic binds to specific sites in a silencer of the homeotic gene Ultrabithorax. In an Ultrabithorax reporter gene, point mutations in these Pleiohomeotic binding sites abolish PcG repression in vivo. Hence, DNA-bound Pleiohomeotic protein may function in the recruitment of other non-DNA-binding PcG proteins to homeotic gene silencers.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Binding Sites / genetics
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DNA Primers / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
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Drosophila / genetics*
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Drosophila / physiology
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Gene Silencing
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Genes, Homeobox*
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Genes, Insect*
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Genes, Reporter
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Insect Proteins / genetics*
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Insect Proteins / physiology
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Lac Operon
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Point Mutation
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Polycomb-Group Proteins
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Transcription Factors*
Substances
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DNA Primers
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Insect Proteins
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Polycomb-Group Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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Ubx protein, Drosophila
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pho protein, Drosophila