FUNCTION OF THE POLYCOMB PROTEIN IS CONSERVED IN MICE AND FLIES

Citation
J. Muller et al., FUNCTION OF THE POLYCOMB PROTEIN IS CONSERVED IN MICE AND FLIES, Development, 121(9), 1995, pp. 2847-2852
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Developmental Biology
Journal title
ISSN journal
09501991
Volume
121
Issue
9
Year of publication
1995
Pages
2847 - 2852
Database
ISI
SICI code
0950-1991(1995)121:9<2847:FOTPPI>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
A key aspect of determination - the acquisition and propagation of cel l fates - is the initiation of patterns of selector gene expression an d their maintenance in groups of cells as they divide and develop. In Drosophila, in those groups of cells where particular selector genes m ust remain inactive, it is the Polycomb-Group of genes that keep them silenced. Here we show that M33, a mouse homologue of the Drosophila P olycomb protein, can substitute for Polycomb in transgenic flies, Poly comb protein is thought to join with other Polycomb-Group proteins to build a complex that silences selector genes. Since members of this gr oup of proteins have their homologues in mice, our results suggest tha t the molecular mechanism of cell determination is widely conserved.