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Conserved domains control heterochromatin localization and silencing properties of SU(VAR)3–7

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Abstract

The Drosophila protein SU(VAR)3–7 is essential for fly viability, chromosome structure, and heterochromatin formation. We report that searches in silico and in vitro for homologues of SU(VAR)3–7 were successful within, but not outside, the Drosophila genus. Protein sequence homology between the distant sibling species Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilis is low, except for the general organization of the protein and three conserved motives: seven widely spaced zinc fingers in the N-terminal half and the BESS and BoxA motives in the C-terminal half of the protein. We have undertaken a fine functional dissection of SU(VAR)3–7 in vivo using transgenes encoding truncations of the protein. BESS mediates interaction of SU(VAR)3–7 with itself, and BoxA is required for specific heterochromatin association. Both are necessary for the silencing properties of SU(VAR)3–7. The seven zinc fingers, widely spaced over the N-terminal half of SU(VAR)3–7, are required for binding to polytene chromosomes. One finger is necessary and sufficient to determine the appropriate chromatin association of the C-terminal half of the protein. Conferring a function to each of the conserved motives allows us to better understand the mode of action of SU(VAR)3–7 in triggering heterochromatin formation and subsequent genomic silencing.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Fabienne Cléard and Frédéric Pâques for their contribution to the early part of the search for homologues, François Karch for the Drosophila virilis genomic library, and Chia-Hwa Tonka for her excellent technical help. We thank Karl Matter for HA antibody and Séverine Bontron for comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by the NCCR “Frontiers in genetics” and the State of Geneva.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Animal Biology, University of Geneva, 30, quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland

    Yannis Jaquet, Marion Delattre, Juan Montoya-Burgos, Anne Spierer & Pierre Spierer

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  1. Yannis Jaquet
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  2. Marion Delattre
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  3. Juan Montoya-Burgos
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  4. Anne Spierer
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  5. Pierre Spierer
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Correspondence to Pierre Spierer.

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Communicated by S. Pimpinelli

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Jaquet, Y., Delattre, M., Montoya-Burgos, J. et al. Conserved domains control heterochromatin localization and silencing properties of SU(VAR)3–7. Chromosoma 115, 139–150 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00412-005-0036-2

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