Self-modulation of Notch signaling during ommatidial development via the Roughened eye transcriptional repressor

Development. 2008 Sep;135(17):2895-904. doi: 10.1242/dev.022194. Epub 2008 Jul 24.

Abstract

The Notch (N) signaling pathway is involved in a vast number of patterning processes in all metazoans. The regulation of the core N pathway is largely understood, but little is known about fine-tuning modulatory effects. Here, we address the role of Drosophila Krüppel-family Zn-finger transcription factor roughened eye (roe) in the context of N signaling. We demonstrate that during eye patterning, N signaling regulates the expression of roe. In turn, Roe negatively modulates the expression of target genes of N-signaling activation. In the absence of roe function, expression of N target genes is elevated and the resulting phenotypes during patterning of the retina are similar to those of N gain-of-function scenarios. Importantly, our data show that Roe binds regulatory DNA sequences of N target genes of the E(spl)-complex both in vitro and in vivo, independently of Su(H)-DNA interaction. Thus, our data suggest that Roe acts as a transcriptional repressor in a negative-feedback loop of the N pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning
  • Cell Movement
  • Clone Cells
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Eye / cytology
  • Eye / embryology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • roughened protein, Drosophila