Odd-paired controls frequency doubling in Drosophila segmentation by altering the pair-rule gene regulatory network

Abstract
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Abstract

The Drosophila embryo transiently exhibits a double segment periodicity, defined by the expression of seven "pair-rule" genes, each in a pattern of seven stripes. At gastrulation, interactions between the pair-rule genes lead to frequency doubling and the patterning of fourteen parasegment boundaries. In contrast to earlier stages of Drosophila anteroposterior patterning, this transition is not well understood. By carefully analysing the spatiotemporal dynamics of pair-rule gene expression, we demonstrate that frequency-doubling is precipitated by multiple coordinated changes to the network of regulatory interactions between the pair-rule genes. We identify the broadly expressed but temporally patterned transcription factor, Odd-paired (Opa/Zic), as the cause of these changes, and show that the patterning of the even-numbered parasegment boundaries relies on Opa-dependent regulatory interactions. Our findings indicate that the pair-rule gene regulatory network has a temporally-modulated topology, permitting the pair-rule genes to play stage-specific patterning roles.

Data availability

The following data sets were generated

1. Erik Clark
2. Michael Akam
(2016) Data from: Odd-paired controls frequency doubling in Drosophila segmentation by altering the pair-rule gene regulatory network
Available at Dryad Digital Repository under a CC0 Public Domain Dedication.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cg35k

Article and author information

Author details

Erik Clark

Laboratory for Development and Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

For correspondence
ec491@cam.ac.uk

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0002-5588-796X
Michael Akam

Laboratory for Development and Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0003-0063-2297

Funding

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (PhD Studentship)

Erik Clark

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Copyright

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.