Zolin, I.A., Grigel, A.A., Georgieva, S.G., Krasnov, A.N., Nikolenko, J.V. (2025). MLE/DHX9 Helicase Activity Is Required to Regulate the Expression of a Number of Tissue-Specific Genes on Chromosome 4 in Drosophila melanogaster.  Dokl. Biochem. Biophys. 524(1): 509--513.

FBrf0264270

Research paper

DHX9 helicase and its ortholog MLE in D. melanogaster participate in different stages of gene expression. Both helicases are important for the formation and functioning of the nervous system in humans and D. melanogaster, respectively. However, the role of helicase activity of DHX9 and MLE in the regulation of gene expression has been poorly studied, and the existing data are quite contradictory. This work is devoted to the study of the role of helicase activity of MLE in the regulation of gene expression in D. melanogaster. A site of intense MLE binding was found on chromosome 4 of D. melanogaster, in locus 102F. It was shown that MLE is a co-activator of expression of the Dyrk3, Toy, Sox102F, Shaven, and Fuss genes located in this locus. For this, the helicase activity of MLE is required. Genes whose expression depends on MLE are expressed at a high level in the nervous system of D. melanogaster and are essential for its proper development. The obtained data contributes to the study of potentially evolutionarily conserved functions of MLE.