Additional sex combs-like 1 belongs to the enhancer of trithorax and polycomb group and genetically interacts with Cbx2 in mice.

The Additional sex combs (Asx) gene of Drosophila behaves genetically as an enhancer of trithorax and polycomb (ETP) in displaying bidirectional homeotic phenotypes, suggesting that is required for maintenance of both activation and silencing of Hox genes. There are three murine homologs of Asx called Additional sex combs-like1, 2, and 3. Asxl1 is required for normal adult hematopoiesis; however, its embryonic function is unknown. We used a targeted mouse mutant line Asxl1(tm1Bc) to determine if Asxl1 is required to silence and activate Hox genes in mice during axial patterning. The mutant embryos exhibit simultaneous anterior and posterior transformations of the axial skeleton, consistent with a role for Asxl1 in activation and silencing of Hox genes. Transformations of the axial skeleton are enhanced in compound mutant embryos for the polycomb group gene M33/Cbx2. Hoxa4, Hoxa7, and Hoxc8 are derepressed in Asxl1(tm1Bc) mutants in the antero-posterior axis, but Hoxc8 expression is reduced in the brain of mutants, consistent with Asxl1 being required both for activation and repression of Hox genes. We discuss the genetic and molecular definition of ETPs, and suggest that the function of Asxl1 depends on its cellular context.

The Polycomb group--no longer an exclusive club?

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins maintain silencing at target loci in higher eukaryotes but recent evidence suggests that about half of these proteins are also required for maintenance of activation at homeotic loci. We suggest that PcG and trithorax group response elements should acquire a new name, 'maintenance elements', to reflect the dual function of regulatory elements that bind both groups of proteins. New data suggest that there might be a functional link between PcG repression and cell-cycle regulation.

The Drosophila polycomb group protein Psc contacts ph and Pc through specific conserved domains.

The Polycomb group proteins are transcriptional repressors that are thought to act through multimeric nuclear complexes. We show that ph and Psc coprecipitate with Pc from nuclear extracts. We have analyzed the domains required for the association of Psc with ph and Pc by using the yeast two-hybrid system and an in vitro protein-binding assay. Psc and ph interact through regions of sequence conservation with mammalian homologs, i.e., the H1 domain of ph (amino acids 1297 to 1418) and the helix-turn-helix-containing region of Psc (amino acids 336 to 473). Psc contacts Pc primarily at the helix-turn-helix-containing region of Psc (amino acids 336 to 473), but also at the ring finger (amino acids 250 to 335). The Pc chromobox is not required for this interaction. We discuss the implication of these results for the nature of the complexes formed by Polycomb group proteins.

Site-specific recognition of a 70-base-pair element containing d(GA)(n) repeats mediates bithoraxoid polycomb group response element-dependent silencing.

Polycomb group proteins act through Polycomb group response elements (PREs) to maintain silencing at homeotic loci. The minimal 1.5-kb bithoraxoid (bxd) PRE contains a region required for pairing-sensitive repression and flanking regions required for maintenance of embryonic silencing. Little is known about the identity of specific sequences necessary for function of the flanking regions. Using gel mobility shift analysis, we identify DNA binding activities that interact specifically with a multipartite 70-bp fragment (MHS-70) downstream of the pairing-sensitive sequence. Deletion of MHS-70 in the context of a 5.1-kb bxd Polycomb group response element derepresses maintenance of silencing in embryos. A partially purified binding activity requires multiple, nonoverlapping d(GA)(3) repeats for MHS-70 binding in vitro. Mutation of d(GA)(3) repeats within MHS-70 in the context of the 5.1-kb bxd PRE destabilizes maintenance of silencing in a subset of cells in vivo but gives weaker derepression than deletion of MHS-70. These results suggest that d(GA)(3) repeats are important for silencing but that other sequences within MHS-70 also contribute to silencing. Antibody supershift assays and Western analyses show that distinct isoforms of Polyhomeotic and two proteins that recognize d(GA)(3) repeats, the TRL/GAGA factor and Pipsqueak (Psq), are present in the MHS-70 binding activity. Mutations in Trl and psq enhance homeotic phenotypes of ph, indicating that TRL/GAGA factor and Psq are enhancers of Polycomb which have sequence-specific DNA binding activity. These studies demonstrate that site-specific recognition of the bxd PRE by d(GA)(n) repeat binding activities mediates PcG-dependent silencing.

A domain shared by the Polycomb group proteins Scm and ph mediates heterotypic and homotypic interactions.

The Sex comb on midleg (Scm) and polyhomeotic (ph) proteins are members of the Polycomb group (PcG) of transcriptional repressors. PcG proteins maintain differential patterns of homeotic gene expression during development in Drosophila flies. The Scm and ph proteins share a homology domain with 38% identity over a length of 65 amino acids, termed the SPM domain, that is located at their respective C termini. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro protein-binding assays, we show that the SPM domain mediates direct interaction between Scm and ph. Binding studies with isolated SPM domains from Scm and ph show that the domain is sufficient for these protein interactions. These studies also show that the Scm-ph and Scm-Scm domain interactions are much stronger than the ph-ph domain interaction, indicating that the isolated domain has intrinsic binding specificity determinants. Analysis of site-directed point mutations identifies residues that are important for SPM domain function. These binding properties, predicted alpha-helical secondary structure, and conservation of hydrophobic residues prompt comparisons of the SPM domain to the helix-loop-helix and leucine zipper domains used for homotypic and heterotypic protein interactions in other transcriptional regulators. In addition to in vitro studies, we show colocalization of the Scm and ph proteins at polytene chromosome sites in vivo. We discuss the possible roles of the SPM domain in the assembly or function of molecular complexes of PcG proteins.

Location of the LSP-1 Genes in Drosophila Species by IN SITU Hybridization.

The locations of the larval serum protein one (LSP-1) alpha, beta and gamma genes were determined in Drosophila melanogaster and in 14 other species of Drosophila by in situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes. The LSP-1 alpha gene mapped to bands 11B on the X chromosome, the LSP-1 beta gene mapped to bands 21D-E on chromosome 2L, and the LSP-1 gamma gene mapped to band 61A in all the melanogaster subgroup species. In eight other species, both the LSP-1 alpha and beta genes mapped to one site on Muller's element E which corresponds to chromosome 3R of D. melanogaster. No hybridization of LSP-1 gamma was detected in these eight species. Restriction enzyme digestion and analysis of genomic DNA by filter transfer hybridization confirmed the presence of LSP-1 alpha-like and beta-like genes in seven of these species. These results are discussed with respect to conservation of the chromosomal elements in the genus Drosophila.

Genetic analysis of the additional sex combs locus of Drosophila melanogaster.

Additional sex combs (Asx) is a member of the Polycomb group of genes, which are thought to be required for maintenance of chromatin structure. To better understand the function of Asx, we have isolated nine new alleles, each of which acts like a gain of function mutation. Asx is required for normal determination of segment identity. AsxP1 shows an unusual phenotype in that anterior and posterior homeotic transformations are seen in the same individuals, suggesting that AsxP1 might upset chromatin structure in a way that makes both activation and repression of homeotic genes more difficult. Analysis of embryonic and adult phenotypes of Asx alleles suggests that Asx is required zygotically for determination of segment number and polarity. The expression pattern of even-skipped is altered in Asx mutant embryos, suggesting that Asx is required for normal expression of this gene. We have transposon-tagged the Asx gene, and can thus begin molecular analysis of its function.

Interactions of polyhomeotic with Polycomb group genes of Drosophila melanogaster.

The Polycomb (Pc) group genes of Drosophila are negative regulators of homeotic genes, but individual loci have pleiotropic phenotypes. It has been suggested that Pc group genes might form a regulatory hierarchy, or might be members of a multimeric complex that obeys the law of mass action. Recently, it was shown that polyhomeotic (ph) immunoprecipitates in a multimeric complex that includes Pc. Here, we show that duplications of ph suppress homeotic transformations of Pc and Pcl, supporting a mass-action model for Pc group function. We crossed ph alleles to all members of the Polycomb group, and to E(Pc) and Su(z)2 to look for synergistic effects. We observed extragenic noncomplementation between ph503 and Pc, Psc1 and Su(z)2(1) in females, and between ph409 and Sce1, ScmD1 and E(z)1 mutations in males, suggesting that these gene products might interact directly with ph. Males hemizygous for a temperature-sensitive allele, ph2, are lethal when heterozygous with mutants in Asx, Pc, Pcl, Psc, Sce and Scm, and with E(Pc) and Su(z)2. Mutations in trithorax group genes were not able to suppress the lethality of ph2/Y; Psc1/+ males. ph2 was not lethal with extra sex combs, E(z), super sex combs (sxc) or l(4)102EFc heterozygotes, but did cause earlier lethality in embryos homozygous for E(z), sxc and l(4)102EFc. However, ph503 did not enhance homeotic phenotypes of esc heterozygotes derived from homozygous esc- mothers. We examined the embryonic phenotypes of ph2 embryos that were lethal when heterozygous or homozygous for other mutations. Based on this phenotypic analysis, we suggest that ph may perform different functions in conjunction with differing subsets of Pc group genes.

Rapid spread of transposable p elements in experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster.

The invasion of P elements in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster was modeled by establishing laboratory populations with 1%, 5% and 10% P genomes and monitoring the populations for 20 generations. In one experiment, the ability of flies to either induce or suppress gonadal sterility in different generations was correlated with the amount of P element DNA. In a second experiment, the percentage of genomes that contained P elements, and the distribution of P elements among individual flies was monitored. The ability to induce gonadal dysgenesis increased rapidly each generation. However, the increase in P cytotype lagged behind by five to ten generations. The total amount of P element DNA and the frequency of flies containing P elements increased each generation. The number of P elements within individual genomes decreased initially, but then increased. Finally, the distribution of P elements within the genomes of individuals from later generations varied considerably, and this pattern differed from the parental P strain. These results suggest that the interaction between the assortment and recombination of chromosomal segments, and multiplicative transposition could result in the rapid spread of P elements in natural populations.

A Genetic and Cytogenetic Analysis of the Region Surrounding the Lsp-1 beta-Gene in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

The region surrounding the gene coding for the beta-polypeptide (21D-22C) of the major Drosophila melanogaster larval serum protein, LSP-1, has been studied in detail. Seven new gamma-ray-induced deficiencies of the region have been used, together with the two extant deficiencies, to map the position of the beta-gene and of the 55 newly induced ethyl methanesulfonate mutants uncovered by one of the largest deficiencies. No lethal mutation of the beta-gene was found.

Enhancer of Polycomb is a suppressor of position-effect variegation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Polycomb group (PcG) genes of Drosophila are negative regulators of homeotic gene expression required for maintenance of determination. Sequence similarity between Polycomb and Su(var)205 led to the suggestion that PcG genes and modifiers of position-effect variegation (PEV) might function analogously in the establishment of chromatin structure. If PcG proteins participate directly in the same process that leads to PEV, PcG mutations should suppress PEV. We show that mutations in E(Pc), an unusual member of the PcG, suppress PEV of four variegating rearrangements: In(l)wm4, B(SV), T(2;3)Sb(V) and In(2R)bw(VDe2). Using reversion of a Pelement insertion, deficiency mapping, and recombination mapping as criteria, homeotic effects and suppression of PEV associated with E(Pc) co-map. Asx is an enhancer of PEV, whereas nine other PcG loci do not affect PEV. These results support the conclusion that there are fewer similarities between PcG genes and modifiers of PEV than previously supposed. However, E(Pc) appears to be an important link between the two groups. We discuss why Asx might act as an enhancer of PEV.

The polyhomeotic locus of Drosophila melanogaster is transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulated during embryogenesis.

The polyhomeotic (ph) locus of Drosophila is a complex locus essential for the maintenance of segmental identity. Genetic analysis suggested that two independent units contribute to ph function. Comparison of genomic sequence shows that the ph locus has been duplicated, and that it contains proximal and distal transcription units. The proximal transcription unit encodes two embryonic mRNAs of 6.4 and 6.1 kb, and the distal unit encodes a 6.4-kb embryonic mRNA. The proximal and distal transcription units are differentially regulated at the mRNA level during development as shown by developmental Northern analysis. The distal protein is very similar to the proximal product, except for the absence of an amino terminal region, and a small region near the carboxy terminus. The long open reading frame in the distal cDNA does not begin with an ATG codon, and an internal ATG is used for a start codon. We show that the proximal protein occurs in two forms that are developmentally regulated, and that probably arise from use of two different initiator methionine codons. We find no evidence for differential binding of proximal and distal products to polytene chromosomes. Nevertheless, we show that mutations in the proximal and distal proteins have differing effects on regulation of a reporter under the control of a regulatory region from bithoraxoid, suggesting that ph proximal and distal proteins have different functions. These results show that the ph locus undergoes complex developmental regulation, and suggest that Polycomb group regulation may be more dynamic than anticipated.

Sequence and genomic structure of ras homologues Dmras85D and Dmras64B of Drosophila melanogaster.

The ras homologues of Drosophila melanogaster located at 85D and 64B on the polytene chromosome map were cloned using the Ha-ras gene of Harvey murine sarcoma virus as a probe. The genomic sequences of Dmras85D and Dmras64B were determined and shown to differ from previously published sequences. Dmras85D is much more similar to the Ha-ras, Ki-ras, and N-ras genes than it is to either the Dmras64B gene or to the ras genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Comparison of the Dmras85D genomic sequences with the previously published nucleotide sequence (Neuman-Silberberg et al., Cell 37 (1984) 1027-1033) shows that the positions of the two introns are not conserved relative to the positions of the introns in Dmras64B or in vertebrate ras genes. The Dmras64B and Dmras85D transcripts were analyzed by blot hybridization and shown to be dissimilar. The data suggest that the divergence of the Dmras genes was ancient, and that Dmras85D and Dmras64B have different functions.

The complex genetic locus polyhomeotic in Drosophila melanogaster potentially encodes two homologous zinc-finger proteins.

Differential expression of the homeotic gene complexes, ANT-C and BX-C, of Drosophila melanogaster is partly controlled by trans-regulating factors located outside the two complexes. The complex genetic locus, polyhomeotic (ph), is one of these trans regulators required during development for correct expression of the homeotic selector genes. The ph locus comprises two genetically independent units whose functions are largely redundant. There are two duplicated sequences arranged as a tandem repeat in the ph region, defining two molecular ph units. Sequence analysis of the 28.6 kb of DNA comprising the locus shows varying degrees of sequence conservation between these two molecular units. Long open reading frames with a high degree of conservation have been localized in each tandem repeat. Putative protein products encoded by both the proximal and the distal unit contain several identical or practically identical protein domains: a zinc-finger-forming motif, an alpha-helix motif, a domain rich in serine and threonine residues and stretches of glutamine residues. The presence of these protein domains supports the hypothesis that ph encodes a transcription factor that may function as part of a protein complex. Possible molecular mechanisms leading to the particular structure of the locus are discussed.

The human homolog of Sex comb on midleg (SCMH1) maps to chromosome 1p34.

Polycomb group genes were originally identified in Drosophila as repressors required to maintain the silenced state of homeotic loci. About ten Polycomb group genes have been cloned in Drosophila, and mammalian homologs have been identified for most of these. Here, we isolate cDNAs encoding two isoforms of a human homolog of Drosophila Sex comb on midleg (Scm), named Sex comb on midleg homolog-1 (SCMH1). Overall, SCMH1 has 94% identity to its mouse counterpart Scmh1, and 41% identity to Scm, and contains two 1(3)mbt domains, and the SPM domain that are characteristic of Scm. SCMH1 is widely expressed in adult tissues, and maps to chromosome 1p34.

Expression of Schistocerca gregaria ion transport peptide (ITP) and its homologue (ITP-L) in a baculovirus/insect cell system.

We expressed an N-terminally extended Schistocerca gregaria ion transport peptide (ScgITP) and its homologue (ion transport peptide-like; ITP-L) in insect Sf9 cells using baculovirus expression vectors. Antibodies raised against peptide fragments of ITP and ITP-L were used to detect and characterize the baculovirus expressed peptides (bacITP, bacITP-L). Biological activity of the expressed peptides was assayed using the highly specific bioassay for native ITP, namely the increase in ileal short-circuit current which is a measure of active Cl- transport. BacITP and bacITP-L expression was optimal in Sf9 cells infected at a multiplicity of infection of 1, grown in Grace's medium, and harvested 2-3 days after infection. Western blots showed that bacITP was 2 kDa larger than native or synthetic ITP. This difference was not due to glycosylation and could in part be attributed to post-translational cleavage of the ITP propeptide at a site 11 amino acids upstream of the cleavage site used by S. gregaria to produce native ITP. BacITP stimulated ileal short-circuit current but is significantly less active (270-fold) than synthetic ITP (synITP) possibly as a result of the N-terminal extension. Production of bacITP-L permitted us to show that it is not stimulatory in the bioassay but reduces the synITP response in vitro and thus may have some potential for enhancing the effectiveness of biological control agents such as baculoviruses.

Mutational analysis of the N-terminus in Schistocerca gregaria ion-transport peptide expressed in Drosophila Kc1 cells.

The functions of the 6-7 amino acid N-terminal domain conserved in insect and crustacean members of the hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) family were assayed by site-directed mutagenesis of Schistocerca gregaria ion-transport peptide (SchgrITP). Mutant peptides were expressed in Drosophila Kc1 cells and tested in a biological assay measuring stimulation of active Cl(-) transport across the locust ileum. We exchanged the N-terminal domain of SchgrITP with that of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus hyperglycemic hormone leaving the remainder of SchgrITP intact. The chimeric peptide was completely inactive in the ileal bioassay, showing that the N-terminus of SchgrITP is essential and that the 2 amino acids (phenylalanine-3 and aspartate-4) conserved in the shrimp and locust peptides are not sufficient for function. We made all possible alanine substitutions in the SchgrITP N-terminal domain. Only phenylalanines 2 and 3 were essential for function in the locust ileal bioassay. All N-terminal mutations were cleaved correctly from the prepropeptide, and expressed in similar concentrations as wild-type ITP suggesting the specific amino acids are not essential for these functions. Post-translational modification may explain a minor ITP isomorph observed in Drosophila Kc1 cell expression. Alanine substitution at position 2 produced a weak ITP antagonist. These structure-function studies, the first for any member of the CHH family, show that both conserved and unconserved amino acids contribute to SchgrITP ion-transport function and that the conserved aspartate in position 4 is required for a yet uncharacterized function.

Quantitative in situ hybridization reveals extent of sequence homology between related DNA sequences in Drosophila melanogaster.

Cloned DNA from the larval serum protein one (LSP-1) genes was hybridized to polytene chromosomes of D. melanogaster. The ratio of grains deposited over any two of the three LSP-1 genes with any one LSP-1 subunit probe was constant. Varying the gene dose of any one LSP-1 subunit relative to the others by up to six fold gave a linear relationship of grain ratios to gene ratios. We show that these constant ratios closely reflect the extent of sequence homology between the genes as determined by heteroduplex mapping (Smith et al., 1981) and thermal denaturation studies. The results obtained demonstrate that the LSP-1 subunit genes are present in equal copies in the genome.

Comparison of the larval serum proteins of Drosophila melanogaster using one and two-dimensional peptide mapping.

Immunological data, amino acid composition, and coordinate control during development suggest that the alpha, beta and gamma subunits of the major protein of Drosophila larval serum (LSP-1) are coded for by genes which evolved by replications of an ancestral gene followed by mutation. In order to test this hypothesis, and to study the relationship of these genes with that coding for the second major larval serum protein subunits. One-dimensional maps generated by three different proteases showed many similarities among these proteins. Two-dimensional peptide mapping of the methionine-containing tryptic peptides showed that half of these peptides are common to all four larval serum protein subunits, and that about two-thirds are common to the three LSP-1 subunits. These observations show that the LSP-1 subunits are more closely related to each other than any is to LSP-2, and supported the initial suggestion that the proteins are homologous. Because the genes for the LSP-1 subunits are each located on a different chromosome, the LSP-1 subunits are a suitable system for investigating the evolution and dispersal of related genes, and trans control in eukaryotes.

The SAM domain of polyhomeotic, RAE28, and scm mediates specific interactions through conserved residues.

The SAM (sterile alpha motif) domain is a 65- to 70-amino acid sequence found in many diverse proteins whose functions range from signal transduction to transcriptional repression. We show that the SAM domain of the Drosophila Polycomb group protein, polyhomeotic (ph), is capable of binding to itself in vitro. We test a number of near relatives of the ph SAM domain from fruit fly, mouse, and yeast and show that all are capable of self-binding. Heterologous interactions are seen among a subset of SAM domains, including ph, Scm, and RAE28. Several conserved amino acid residues were mutated in the ph SAM domain, and the effects on self-binding and heterologous association were demonstrated. L33, L41, and 162 are shown to be important determinants of the binding interface, while W1 and G50 are likely essential for the structure of the domain.