RESUMEN
The Core Binding Factor is a heterodimeric transcription factor complex in vertebrates that is composed of a DNA binding alpha-subunit and a non-DNA binding beta-subunit. The alpha-subunit is encoded by members of the Runt Domain family of proteins and the beta-subunit is encoded by the CBF beta gene. In Drosophila, two genes encoding alpha-subunits, runt and lozenge, and two genes encoding beta-subunits, Big brother and Brother, have been previously identified. Here, a sensitized genetic screen was used to isolate mutant alleles of the Big brother gene. Expression studies show that Big brother is a nuclear protein that co-localizes with both Lozenge and Runt in the eye imaginal disc. The nuclear localization and stability of Big brother protein is mediated through the formation of heterodimeric complexes between Big brother and either Lozenge or Runt. Big brother functions with Lozenge during cell fate specification in the eye, and is also required for the development of the embryonic PNS. ds-RNA-mediated genetic interference experiments show that Brother and Big brother are redundant and function together with Runt during segmentation of the embryo. These studies highlight a mechanism for transcriptional control by a Runt Domain protein and a redundant pair of partners in the specification of cell fate during development.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Unión al ADN/metabolismo , Proteínas de Drosophila , Proteínas de Insectos/fisiología , Proteínas Nucleares/fisiología , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/fisiología , Animales , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/genética , Drosophila melanogaster/genética , Drosophila melanogaster/crecimiento & desarrollo , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolismo , Drosophila melanogaster/fisiología , Elementos de Facilitación Genéticos , Ojo/crecimiento & desarrollo , Ojo/metabolismo , Expresión Génica , Proteínas de Insectos/genética , Proteínas de Insectos/metabolismo , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/metabolismo , Fenotipo , Factores de Transcripción/genéticaRESUMEN
We describe here our experience in annotating the Drosophila melanogaster genome sequence, in the course of which we developed several new open-source software tools and a database schema to support large-scale genome annotation. We have developed these into an integrated and reusable software system for whole-genome annotation. The key contributions to overall annotation quality are the marshalling of high-quality sequences for alignments and the design of a system with an adaptable and expandable flexible architecture.
Asunto(s)
Biología Computacional/métodos , Bases de Datos Genéticas , Genoma , Diseño de Software , Animales , Humanos , InternetRESUMEN
The well-established inaccuracy of purely computational methods for annotating genome sequences necessitates an interactive tool to allow biological experts to refine these approximations by viewing and independently evaluating the data supporting each annotation. Apollo was developed to meet this need, enabling curators to inspect genome annotations closely and edit them. FlyBase biologists successfully used Apollo to annotate the Drosophila melanogaster genome and it is increasingly being used as a starting point for the development of customized annotation editing tools for other genome projects.