The Activation Potential of MOF Is Constrained for Dosage Compensation

SummaryThe H4K16 acetyltransferase MOF plays a crucial role in dosage compensation in Drosophila but has additional, global functions. We compared the molecular context and effect of MOF in male and female flies, combining chromosome-wide mapping and transcriptome studies with analyses of defined reporter loci in transgenic flies. MOF distributes dynamically between two complexes, the dosage compensation complex and a complex containing MBD-R2, a global facilitator of transcription. These different targeting principles define the distribution of MOF between the X chromosome and autosomes and at transcription units with 5′ or 3′ enrichment. The male X chromosome differs from all other chromosomes in that H4K16 acetylation levels do not correlate with transcription output. The reconstitution of this phenomenon at a model locus revealed that the activation potential of MOF is constrained in male cells in the context of the DCC to arrive at the 2-fold activation of transcription characteristic of dosage compensation.

► Dosage compensation results from strong stimulation and counteracting modulation
► The acetyltransferase MOF distributes dynamically between two distinct complexes
► The H4K16 acetylation levels correlate with transcription except for on the male X
► The MOF interactor MBD-R2 is globally involved in transcription stimulation