During Drosophila development, Polycomb (PcG) and trithorax (trxG)group proteins maintain DNA regions in transcriptionally silent and active states, respectively, by forming complexes that modify chromatin. Surprisingly, Fujioka and colleagues now report that the DNA-binding PcG protein Pleiohomeotic (Pho) maintains both active and repressed transcriptional states of even skipped (eve; a Drosophila gene with a conserved role in the regulation of nervous system gene expression) through a single site (see p. 4131). The researchers identify a Pho-dependent sequence at the 3' border of the eve locus. They then show that, while this element maintains repression in nervous system cells in which eve is silenced during early development, it unexpectedly maintains an active transcriptional state in other cells. Both negative and positive transcriptional maintenance depend on Pho binding and on pho gene activity. From these and other results, the researchers suggest that the differential regulation of a core DNA-binding complex that contains Pho and other factors facilitates the transcriptional memory of both active and repressed states during development.
Pho-nomenal transcriptional memory
Pho-nomenal transcriptional memory. Development 15 December 2008; 135 (24): e2405. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Development a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.
Propose a new Workshop for 2025

Do you have an idea for a Workshop? We are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Biologists Workshops programme. As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We'll take care of all the logistics. In 2025 we'll continue our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme and will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South (GS) country to host an event overseas.
Development presents… Outstanding Paper Prize Finalists

On Wednesday 19 April, Development hosted a webinar celebrating the finalists for Development’s Inaugural Outstanding Paper Prize. The talks and Q&As were hosted by our Deputy Editor, Steve Wilson (UCL).
Development Journal Meeting 2023

The Abstract deadline for our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Unconventional and Emerging Experimental Organisms in Cell and Developmental Biology’ is 23 June 2023. Find out more and apply here
Keeping up with the Node

Thirteen years on from its launch, the Node continues to be a place to share research stories, opinions, job adverts and event listings. Development have published a recent Editorial reviewing some of our most popular features, as well as introducing some new initiatives.