Segment-specific regulation of the Drosophila AP-2 gene during leg and antennal development

► The Drosophila transcription factor AP-2 gene, dAP-2, is required for outgrowth of leg and antennal segments and is expressed in every segment boundary during development. ► We identified multiple cis-regulatory elements that can individually or cooperatively recapitulate endogenous dAP-2 expression in different segments within the leg and antennal discs. ► Our study reveals both shared and distinct mechanisms regulating dAP-2 expression in the two homologous appendages. ► We demonstrate that the two 'leg gap genes', exd and hth, and Hox genes regulate dAP-2 in the femur through a segment-specific enhancer.