Zelda’s Role in Controlling Gene Expression in the Early Embryo

Abstract

Much research investigates the influence of Zelda (Zinc-finger early Drosophila Embryo activator, Zld) on early embryo development. CAGGTAG and related sequences are common in the early transcribed genes in Drosophila. These are all referred to as sites that can activate transcription and are responsible for maternal RNA degradation (as cited in Liang et al., 2008). However, it is still unknown whether other activators can help gene expression. Here, we analyze the effect of Zld on specific genes, such as Halo, by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. One result is that the gene expression is low in the absence of Zld, which could suggest that Zld plays an important role in the activation of early development of the Drosophila embryo.