Abstract
Trithorax (TRX) is a Drosophila SET domain protein that is required for the correct expression of homeotic genes. Here, we show that the TRX SET domain efficiently binds to core histones and nucleosomes. The primary target for the SET domain is histone H3 and binding requires the N-terminal histone tails. The previously described trx(Z11) mutation changes a strictly conserved glycine in the SET domain to serine and causes homeotic transformations in the fly. We found that this mutation selectively interferes with histone binding, suggesting that histones represent a critical target during developmental gene regulation by TRX.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drosophila
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
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Histones / chemistry
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Histones / metabolism*
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Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
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Mutation
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Nucleosomes / metabolism
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Protein Binding
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
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Time Factors
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Transcription Factors*
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Histones
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Nucleosomes
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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Trl protein, Drosophila
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Glutathione Transferase