Genetic & Epigenetic Mechanisms of X Chromosome Activation in Drosophila

Abstract: The process of X-chromosome dosage compensation in Drosophila involves boosting the transcription of most genes on the X in male flies to match the transcription output of the two X chromosomes in females. Activation is achieved through histone acetylation of active gene chromatin by the histone acetyltransferase MOF. MOF is recruited to its targets by the dosage compensation complex (DCC). According to the prevalent model this involves genetic and epigenetic principles: the DCC first binds to a defined number of DNA sequence elements, the High Affinity Sites (HAS), which are exclusive to the X. The activator then identifies and acetylates active gene chromatin in the nuclear neighborhood, presumably through their epigenetic H3K36me3 signature.

Dosage compensation happens gradually during early embryonic development and matures along with refined chromosome folding. Key to successful dosage compensation is the property of the DCC to selectively bind the X chromosome. We continue to explore the molecular principles that allow such selective regulation. Most recently, we made significant progress in identifying and testing such principles by whole-genome chromatin reconstitution in a cell-free system.

cell biologygeneticsmolecular biology

Audience: researchers in the discipline

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Colloquium zooming Molecular & Cellular Biology LUMS

Series comments: Zooming Molecular & Cellular Biology Colloquium was initiated on July 28th, 2020 by the Biology department at Syed Babar Ali School of Science & Engineering (SBASSE), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The series follows through various topics which come under the ambit of Molecular and Cellular Biology and we’ve had the pleasure and honor of hosting some of the most knowledgeable scientists from around the globe. Organizers can be reached out at 24100162@lums.edu.pk or 24100001@lums.edu.pk for the Zoom link of individual talks. All lectures are LIVE streamed on SBASSE's official Facebook page.

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