The BEN Domain Protein Insensitive Binds to the Chromatin Boundary To Establish Proper Segmental Identity in

Publication Year
2018

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
Boundaries (insulators) in the bithorax complex (BX-C) delimit autonomous regulatory domains that orchestrate the parasegment (PS)-specific expression of the BX-C homeotic genes. The boundary separates the and regulatory domains, which control Abd-B expression in PS11 and PS12, respectively. This boundary is composed of multiple functionally redundant elements and has two key functions: it blocks cross talk between and and facilitates boundary bypass. Here, we show that two BEN domain protein complexes, Insensitive and Elba, bind to multiple sequences located in the nuclease hypersensitive regions. Two of these sequences are recognized by both Insv and Elba and correspond to a CCAATTGG palindrome. Elba also binds to a related CCAATAAG sequence, while Insv does not. However, the third Insv recognition sequences is ∼100 bp in length and contains the CCAATAAG sequence at one end. Both Insv and Elba are assembled into large complexes (∼420 and ∼265-290 kDa, respectively) in nuclear extracts. Using a sensitized genetic background, we show that the Insv protein is required for boundary function and that PS11 identity is not properly established in mutants. This is the first demonstration that a BEN domain protein is important for the functioning of an endogenous fly boundary.
Journal
Genetics
Volume
210
Issue
2
Pages
573-585
Date Published
10/2018
ISSN Number
1943-2631
Alternate Journal
Genetics
PMID
30082280