Abstract
Odor perception requires that each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) class continuously express a single odorant receptor (OR) regardless of changes in the environment. However, little is known about the control of the robust, class-specific OR expression involved. Here, we investigate the cis-regulatory mechanisms and components that generate robust and OSN class-specific OR expression in Drosophila. Our results demonstrate that the spatial restriction of expression to a single OSN class is directed by clusters of transcription-factor DNA binding motifs. Our dissection of motif clusters of differing complexity demonstrates that structural components such as motif overlap and motif order integrate transcription factor combinations and chromatin status to form a spatially restricted pattern. We further demonstrate that changes in metabolism or temperature perturb the function of complex clusters. We show that the cooperative regulation between motifs around and within the cluster generates robust, class-specific OR expression.
Highlights
The expression of developmental genes is regulated such that they are either on or off at the appropriate time and in the correct place
We further demonstrate that it is the structure of the cluster that determines the class specific expression
Our results demonstrate that structured motif clusters involving one to several transcription factors (TFs) located directly upstream of the odorant receptor (OR) gene provide spatially restricted regulation to a single olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) class
Summary
The expression of developmental genes is regulated such that they are either on or off at the appropriate time and in the correct place. The expression patterns of these genes must be robust; they must be stable and resistant to changes in both external and internal environments [1]. Mechanisms underlying developmental buffering and resistance to temperature changes and mutation have been described. MicroRNAs silence ectopically expressed transcripts and buffer steady-state gene expression by controlling the levels of repressors or activators [3]. For genes expressed in mature cells, the demand for robust expression and spatial regulation is even more pronounced. How the high requirement for stability is integrated into the continuous gene regulation that occurs in mature cells is poorly understood
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