Influence of increased amounts of the CHD1 protein on salivary gland secretion genes expression in drosophila salivary glands

BACKGROUND: The genetic material of eukaryotes exists in the nucleus in the form of a nucleoprotein complex named chromatin. Realization genetic information requires chromatin remodeling mediated by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling proteins of the SNF2 family. Evolutionarily conserved chromatin assembly and remodeling factor CHD1 is associated with the development of prostate cancer. Development of prostate cancer is promoted both by deletions and by increase in the amount of CHD1 protein in the cell. AIM: To analyze the effect of increased expression of the CHD1 protein in a model organism — Drosophila — on the transcription of hormone – dependent tissue-specific genes in the salivary glands. METHODS: We used a genetic model based on the overexpression of either wild-type Drosophila CHD1 protein or its catalytically inactive form in the salivary glands under the control of the GAL4-driver P{GawB}AB1. The level of gene transcription in the salivary glands was investigated by reverse transcription followed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: We have shown that increased production of the CHD1 protein in the salivary glands leads to a disruption in the attachment of pupae to the surface. It is shown that this phenotype is caused by specific suppression of transcription of Salivary gland secretion (Sgs) genes. CONCLUSION: A model system has been created for studying genetic effects caused by an increase in the amount of CHD1 protein in Drosophila cells. This model can be used to investigate the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation by CHD1 and its disturbance as a result of increased production of CHD1 protein.