Pick, L., Schier, A., Affolter, M., Schmidt-Glenewinkel, T., Gehring, W.J. (1990). Analysis of the ftz upstream element: germ layer-specific enhancers are independently autoregulated.  Genes Dev. 4(3): 1224--1239.

FBrf0051827

Research paper

The Drosophila fushi tarazu (ftz) upstream element is an enhancer-like element that is required for the correct expression of ftz in developing embryos and that directs transcription from a minimal promoter in a ftz-like seven-striped pattern. Using a deletion analysis, we have identified several independent cis-regulatory elements in the upstream element. A distal enhancer directs fusion gene expression in seven stripes primarily in the mesoderm. A more complex proximal enhancer contains a mesodermally active element and a second element with which it interacts to generate seven stripes in the ectoderm. Striped expression directed by each enhancer is ftz-dependent, and each contains binding sites for purified ftz homeo domain. We suggest that ftz protein acts in combination with germ layer-restricted transcription factors directly and positively to regulate the transcription of its own gene.