A Genome-Wide Screen Identifies Genes That Affect Somatic Homolog Pairing in Drosophila

作者：Bateman Jack R^*; Larschan Erica; D' Souza Ryan; Marshall Lauren S; Dempsey Kyle E; Johnson Justine E; Mellone Barbara G; Kuroda Mitzi I

来源：Genes Genomes Genetics, 2012, 2(7): 731-740.

DOI：10.1534/g3.112.002840

• RNAi
• homolog pairing
• male-specific lethal
• cell cycle
• inter-chromosomal interaction

In Drosophila and other Dipterans, homologous chromosomes are in close contact in virtually all nuclei, a phenomenon known as somatic homolog pairing. Although homolog pairing has been recognized for over a century, relatively little is known about its regulation. We performed a genome-wide RNAi-based screen that monitored the X-specific localization of the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex, and we identified 59 candidate genes whose knockdown via RNAi causes a change in the pattern of MSL staining that is consistent with a disruption of X-chromosomal homolog pairing. Using DNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), we confirmed that knockdown of 17 of these genes has a dramatic effect on pairing of the 359 bp repeat at the base of the X. Furthermore, dsRNAs targeting Pr-set7, which encodes an H4K20 methyltransferase, cause a modest disruption in somatic homolog pairing. Consistent with our results in cultured cells, a classical mutation in one of the strongest candidate genes, pebble (pbl), causes a decrease in somatic homolog pairing in developing embryos. Interestingly, many of the genes identified by our screen have known roles in diverse cell-cycle events, suggesting an important link between somatic homolog pairing and the choreography of chromosomes during the cell cycle.

• 出版日期2012-7-1