Mi-2 chromatin remodeling factor functions in sensory organ development through proneural gene repression in Drosophila

Dev Growth Differ. 2006 Sep;48(7):411-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-169X.2006.00880.x.

Abstract

Mi-2, the central component of the nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylation (NuRD) complex, is known as an SNF2-type ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling factor. No morphological mutant phenotype of Drosophila Mi-2 (dMi-2) had been reported previously; however, we found that rare escapers develop into adult flies showing an extra bristle phenotype. The dMi-2 enhanced the phenotype of ac(Hw49c), which is a dominant gain-of-function allele of achaete (ac) and produces extra bristles. Consistent with these observations, the ac-expressing proneural clusters were expanded, and extra sensory organ precursors (SOP) were formed in the dMi-2 mutant wing discs. Immunostaining of polytene chromosomes showed that dMi-2 binds to the ac locus, and dMi-2 and acetylated hisotones distribute on polytene chromosomes in a mutually exclusive manner. The chromatin immunoprecipitation assay of the wing imaginal disc also demonstrated a binding of dMi-2 on the ac locus. These results suggest that the Drosophila Mi-2/NuRD complex functions in neuronal differentiation through the repression of proneural gene expression by chromatin remodeling and histone deacetylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / genetics
  • Autoantigens / metabolism*
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / growth & development
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Histone Deacetylases / genetics
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mi-2 Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nucleosomes / genetics
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Binding
  • Sense Organs / growth & development
  • Sense Organs / metabolism*
  • Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology
  • Wings, Animal / growth & development
  • Wings, Animal / metabolism

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Histones
  • Mi-2 protein, Drosophila
  • Nucleosomes
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • Mi-2 Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases