Gene regulation: boundaries within limits

Curr Biol. 2008 Aug 5;18(15):R653-R655. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.06.040.

Abstract

Quantitative measurements of the Hunchback transcription factor in Drosophila embryos show that its target genes can respond with a high degree of precision to the exact level of the protein, simulating a continuous, analog readout, while other target genes show a combinatorial effect, resembling a Boolean logic element.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila / embryology*
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Development / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Genetic
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • bcd protein, Drosophila
  • hb protein, Drosophila