Ch9 - Homeotic Selector Genes Flashcards
Homeotic selector genes
after segmental boundaries are set, the characteristic structures of each segment are specified by homeotic selector genes
2 regions of chromosome 3 have the most homeotic genes
- the Antennapedia complex
* the Bithorax complex
The Antennapedia complex
give the identity of the head and thoracic segments
The Bithorax complex
give identity to the
• 3rd thoracic segment
• abdominal segments
3 thoracic segments
- legs
- legs and wings
- legs and halteres
The initial domains of homeotic gene expression is influenced by
gap genes and pair-rule genes
All homeotic genes are regulated…
negatively by all the homeotic gene products expressed posterior to it
Identities of segments must
be stabilized so differentiation can occur
Transcription patterns stabilized…
locked into place by alteration of chromatin
Transcription stabilization (chromatin) maintained by
Trithorax proteins
Repression of homeotic genes maintained by
Polycomb proteins