University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Promoter Specificity Mediates the Independent Regulation of Neighboring Genes

Merli, Christopher Allan

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/85389

Description

Title
Promoter Specificity Mediates the Independent Regulation of Neighboring Genes
Author(s)
Merli, Christopher Allan
Issue Date
1997
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Blackman, Ronald K.
Department of Study
Biology
Discipline
Biology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Molecular
Language
eng
Abstract
Even though enhancers can exert their influence over great distances, their effect generally is limited to a single gene. To discern the mechanism by which this constraint can be mediated, I have studied three neighboring Drosophila genes: decapentaplegic (dpp), SLY1 homologous (Slh) and out at first (oaf). Several dpp enhancers are positioned close to Slh and oaf and yet these genes are unaffected by the dpp elements. However, when a transposon is located within the oaf gene, the dpp enhancers activate the more distant transposon promoters while still ignoring the closer Slh and oaf start sites. To test whether this promoter specificity accounts for the regulatory autonomy normally found for the three genes, I have used in vivo gene targeting to replace the oaf promoter with a dpp-compatible one in an otherwise normal chromosome. Strikingly, this chimeric gene is now activated by the dpp enhancers. Thus, the properties of the promoters themselves are sufficient to mediate the autonomous regulation of genes in this region.
Graduation Semester
1997
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/85389

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Biology