A systems-level analysis of giant (gt) regulation in Drosophila melanogaster

Astrid Hörmann, Hilde Janssens
Due to the lack of a quantitative in vitro transcription assay, we still do not have a precise mechanistic understanding of eukaryotic gene regulation. For this reason, our current gene network models do not include molecular details, such as specific transcription factor binding sites and cis-regulatory elements. As a first step towards resolving this issue, we will look into the regulation of a particular gap gene (gt) using our reverse-engineering approach with a model of transcriptional regulation. This enables us to identify and analyze contributions of particular binding sites to the expression pattern of gt. In particular, we want to address important open questions such as how individual binding sites constitute a cis-regulatory element or how such elements interact to result in the expression of a whole, endogenous gene.