Optogenetic Inactivation of Transcription Factors in the Early Embryo of Drosophila
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Stephen L. McDaniel; Melissa M. Harrison
- Source
- Bio Protoc
- Subject
- Syncytium
Zygote
Strategy and Management
Mechanical Engineering
Embryogenesis
Metals and Alloys
Embryo
Biology
Optogenetics
biology.organism_classification
Genome
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Cell biology
Methods Article
Drosophila melanogaster
Transcription factor
- Language
- English
The early embryo of Drosophila melanogaster exists as a rapidly dividing syncytium of nuclei that are transcriptionally silent. Maternally deposited factors are required to awaken the genome and assist in the transition from maternal to zygotic control of development. Because many of these essential factors are maternally deposited and the early nuclear divisions are so rapid, it has been difficult to assess the functional role of transcription factors at discrete points in early embryonic development. To address this issue, we have developed an optogenetic system that can rapidly and reversibly inactivate transcription factors with nuclear-cycle resolution. The temporal precision enabled by this technique will allow a mechanistic understanding of how transcription factors function together to control genome activation and patterning in the early embryo and is likely broadly applicable to factors throughout embryogenesis.