Requirements for mediator complex subunits distinguish three classes of notch target genes at the Drosophila wing margin

Dev Dyn. 2011 Sep;240(9):2051-9. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22705. Epub 2011 Jul 25.

Abstract

Spatial and temporal gene regulation relies on a combinatorial code of sequence-specific transcription factors that must be integrated by the general transcriptional machinery. A key link between the two is the mediator complex, which consists of a core complex that reversibly associates with the accessory kinase module. We show here that genes activated by Notch signaling at the dorsal-ventral boundary of the Drosophila wing disc fall into three classes that are affected differently by the loss of kinase module subunits. One class requires all four kinase module subunits for activation, while the others require only Med12 and Med13, either for activation or for repression. These distinctions do not result from different requirements for the Notch coactivator Mastermind or the corepressors Hairless and Groucho. We propose that interactions with the kinase module through distinct cofactors allow the DNA-binding protein Suppressor of Hairless to carry out both its activator and repressor functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cyclin C / genetics
  • Cyclin C / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 / metabolism
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Mediator Complex / genetics
  • Mediator Complex / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Wings, Animal / growth & development
  • Wings, Animal / metabolism*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cyclin C
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Mediator Complex
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • gro protein, Drosophila
  • mam protein, Drosophila
  • H protein, Drosophila
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8