Differential regulation of mesodermal gene expression by Drosophila cell type-specific Forkhead transcription factors

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Discovered the Forkhead (Fkh) binding sites in the Nidogen (Ndg) enhancer. Mutated these Fkh binding sites and revealed the different phenotypes in cardiac cells, in fusion competent somatic myoblasts, and in the gut musculature. Determined the candidate Fkh transcription factors (TFs) accounting for the effects seen with the mutant enhancers in each mesodermal cell type. Applied the systems biology approach that combined biochemistry, developmental biology, genetics and bioinformatics. Revealed the mechanisms that different tissue-specific Fkh TFs mediate distinct gene expression responses through the same binding sites in Ndg enhancer, and support a role for these factors in determining the unique genetic programs that characterize different subtypes of mesodermal cells.

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