PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e27479. Epub 2011 Dec 8.

Drosophila melanogaster dHCF Interacts with both PcG and TrxG Epigenetic
Regulators.

Rodriguez-Jato S, Busturia A, Herr W.

Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Génopode, Lausanne,
Switzerland.

Repression and activation of gene transcription involves multiprotein complexes
that modify chromatin structure. The integration of these complexes at regulatory
sites can be assisted by co-factors that link them to DNA-bound transcriptional
regulators. In humans, one such co-factor is the herpes simplex virus host-cell
factor 1 (HCF-1), which is implicated in both activation and repression of
transcription. We show here that disruption of the gene encoding the Drosophila
melanogaster homolog of HCF-1, dHCF, leads to a pleiotropic phenotype involving
lethality, sterility, small size, apoptosis, and morphological defects. In
Drosophila, repressed and activated transcriptional states of cell
fate-determining genes are maintained throughout development by Polycomb Group
(PcG) and Trithorax Group (TrxG) genes, respectively. dHCF mutant flies display
morphological phenotypes typical of TrxG mutants and dHCF interacts genetically
with both PcG and TrxG genes. Thus, dHCF inactivation enhances the mutant
phenotypes of the Pc PcG as well as brm and mor TrxG genes, suggesting that dHCF 
possesses Enhancer of TrxG and PcG (ETP) properties. Additionally, dHCF interacts
with the previously established ETP gene skd. These pleiotropic phenotypes are
consistent with broad roles for dHCF in both activation and repression of
transcription during fly development.

PMID: 22174740  [PubMed - in process]