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Phenotypic suppression of empty spiracles is prevented by buttonhead

Author

Listed:
  • Frieder Schöck

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Abt. Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie
    Harvard Medical School)

  • Joachim Reischl

    (Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Universität Bayreuth)

  • Ernst Wimmer

    (Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Universität Bayreuth)

  • Heike Taubert

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Abt. Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie)

  • Beverly A. Purnell

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Abt. Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie
    American Association for the Advancement of Science)

  • Herbert Jäckle

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, Abt. Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie)

Abstract

Unlike the trunk segments, the anterior head segments of Drosophila are formed in the absence of pair-rule1,2 and HOX-cluster gene3 expression, by the activities of the gap-like genes orthodenticle (otd), empty spiracles (ems) and buttonhead (btd)4,5. The products of these genes are transcription factors6,7, but only EMS has a HOX-like homeodomain8,9. Indeed, ems can confer identity to trunk segments10 when other HOX-cluster gene activities are absent3,11. In trunk segments of wild-type embryos, however, ems activity is prevented by phenotypic suppression10, in which more posterior HOX-cluster genes inactivate the more anterior without affecting transcription or translation12. ems is suppressed by all other Hox-cluster genes and so is placed at the bottom of their hierarchy10. Here we show that misexpression of EMS in the head transforms segment identity in a btd-dependent manner, that misexpression of BTD in the trunk causes ems-dependent structures to develop, and that EMS and BTD interact in vitro. The data indicate that this interaction may allow ems to escape from the bottom of the HOX-cluster gene hierarchy and cause a dominant switch of homeotic prevalence in the anterior–posterior direction.

Suggested Citation

  • Frieder Schöck & Joachim Reischl & Ernst Wimmer & Heike Taubert & Beverly A. Purnell & Herbert Jäckle, 2000. "Phenotypic suppression of empty spiracles is prevented by buttonhead," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6784), pages 351-354, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:405:y:2000:i:6784:d:10.1038_35012620
    DOI: 10.1038/35012620
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