In vivo requirement for the paired domain and homeodomain of the paired segmentation gene product

Claudio Bertuccioli, Laurent Fasano, Susie Jun, Sheng Wang, Guojun Sheng, Claude Desplan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Drosophila pair-rule gene paired is required for the correct expression of the segment polarity genes wingless, engrailed and gooseberry. It encodes a protein containing three conserved motifs: a homeodomain (HD), a paired domain (PD) and a PRD (His/Pro) repeat. We use a rescue assay in which paired (or a mutated version of paired in which the functions of the conserved motifs have been altered) is expressed under the control of its own promoter, in the absence of endogenous paired, to dissect the paired protein in vivo. We show that both the HD and the N-terminal subdomain of the PD (PAI domain) are absolutely required within the same molecule for normal paired function. In contrast, the conserved C-terminal subdomain of the PD (RED domain) appears to be dispensable. Furthermore, although a mutation abolishing the ability of the homeodomain to dimerize results in an impaired paired molecule, this molecule is nonetheless able to mediate a high degree of rescue. Finally, a paired transgene lacking the PRD repeat is functionally impaired, but still able to rescue to viability. We conclude that, while Prd can use its DNA-binding domains combinatorially in order to achieve different DNA-binding specificities, its principal binding mode requires a cooperative interaction between the PAI domain and the homeodomain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2673-2685
Number of pages13
JournalDevelopment
Volume122
Issue number9
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Drosophila
  • Homeodomain
  • Paired
  • Paired domain
  • Pax genes
  • Segmentation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In vivo requirement for the paired domain and homeodomain of the paired segmentation gene product'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this