The Drosophila melanogaster suppressor of Hairy-wing protein binds to specific sequences of the gypsy retrotransposon.

C. Spana, D. A. Harrison, V. G. Corces

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

168 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mutations at the suppressor of Hairy-wing [su(Hw), 3-54.8] locus reverse the phenotype of second-site mutations induced by the gypsy transposable element in Drosophila melanogaster. This gene encodes a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 109,000 that contains an acidic domain and 12 copies of the DNA-binding 'Zn finger' motif. The su(Hw) protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and Drosophila cells, and partially purified. It was shown to interact specifically in vitro with a 367-bp DNA fragment that contains 12 copies of the sequence PyPuTTGCATACCPy located in the 5'-untranslated region of gypsy, between the 5' long terminal repeat (LTR) and the first ATG initiation codon. This sequence shows striking homology to some mammalian transcriptional enhancer elements, supporting a role for the su(Hw) protein in the control of gypsy transcription. In addition, the su(Hw) protein is present at approximately 100-200 sites on Drosophila polytene chromosomes, suggesting that it also interacts in vivo with DNA and might be involved functionally in the regulation of normal cellular genes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1414-1423
Number of pages10
JournalGenes and Development
Volume2
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

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