Expression of msl-2 causes assembly of dosage compensation regulators on the X chromosomes and female lethality in Drosophila

Cell. 1995 Jun 16;81(6):867-77. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(95)90007-1.

Abstract

Male-specific lethal-2 (msl-2) is a RING finger protein that is required for X chromosome dosage compensation in Drosophila males. Consistent with the formation of a dosage compensation protein complex, msl-2 colocalizes with the other MSL proteins on the male X chromosome and coimmunoprecipitates with msl-1 from male larval extracts. Ectopic expression of msl-2 in females results in the appearance of the other MSL dosage compensation regulators on the female X chromosomes and decreased female viability. We suggest that msl-2 RNA is the primary target of SxI regulation in the dosage compensation pathway and present a speculative model for the regulation of two distinct modes of dosage compensation by SxI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Dosage Compensation, Genetic*
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Insect
  • Genes, Lethal
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • X Chromosome

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • msl-2 protein, Drosophila
  • DNA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/L42514
  • GENBANK/L42553