A genetic switch, based on negative regulation, sharpens stripes in Drosophila embryos

Developmental Genetics
B A EdgarG Schubiger

Abstract

The pair-rule genes hairy, runt, even-skipped, and fushi tarazu express their mRNAs and proteins in striped patterns in the Drosophila embryo at the blastoderm stage. Previous studies have shown that the generation of these patterns depends upon products of the gap genes and upon interactions between the pair-rule genes themselves. Here we show that blocking protein synthesis induces expression of each of the pair-rule mRNAs in virtually all regions of the embryo. Our observations together with genetic studies carried out in other laboratories suggest that negative feedback between the pair-rule genes plays a key role in striped expression of pair-rule genes. We propose that stable proteins, present in all regions of the embryo, first activate transcription of these pair-rule genes constitutively. Then, various combinations of unstable proteins repress their transcription in a patterned fashion; each stripe of accumulated products of a given pair-rule gene marks a region where it was not repressed. We develop this idea in mathematical form and demonstrate that a network of mutual repression by pair-rule genes can make each blastoderm nucleus into a genetic switch with two stable states. If preexisting gap gene patterns provide ...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1988·Genes & Development·M P WeirG Schubiger
Jan 1, 1986·Annual Review of Cell Biology·M P Scott, P H O'Farrell
Dec 18, 1987·Science·C Nüsslein-VolhardR Lehmann
Oct 30, 1980·Nature·C Nüsslein-Volhard, E Wieschaus
Oct 1, 1982·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·B J DiDomenicoS Lindquist

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 16, 1992·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·D Read, J L Manley
Oct 21, 1991·Journal of Theoretical Biology·E MjolsnessJ Reinitz
Sep 14, 1999·Journal of Biotechnology·J J Tyson
Apr 13, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Feng LiuThomas Gregor
Mar 26, 2002·Journal of Computational Biology : a Journal of Computational Molecular Cell Biology·Hidde de Jong
Jan 6, 2015·Parallel Processing Letters·A V SpirovD M Holloway
Dec 13, 2005·Evolution & Development·Paul Z Liu, Thomas C Kaufman
Jan 24, 2013·Molecular Systems Biology·Julien O DubuisThomas Gregor
Sep 13, 2016·Nature Reviews. Genetics·Naomi MorisAlfonso Martinez Arias
Oct 4, 2002·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·Eli MeirGeorge Von Dassow
May 14, 1992·Nature·L Segel, J J Tyson
Mar 1, 1990·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·C R DearolfC S Parker
May 15, 2007·Developmental Dynamics : an Official Publication of the American Association of Anatomists·Albert GoldbeterOlivier Pourquié
Dec 22, 2009·Molecular BioSystems·Johannes Jaeger
Jan 1, 1995·Mechanisms of Development·J Reinitz, D H Sharp
Aug 1, 1992·Current Opinion in Genetics & Development·E C Cox
Sep 1, 1992·Genes & Development·A S Manoukian, H M Krause
Oct 1, 1991·Genes & Development·G K YasudaG Schubiger
Mar 19, 2011·Cell·Arthur D Lander

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.