Cell-type-specific chromatin occupancy by the pioneer factor Zelda drives key developmental transitions in Drosophila

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27506-y
• Publication Date: 2021-12-09T11:25:36Z
• Authors: Elizabeth D. Larson; Hideyuki Komori; Tyler J. Gibson; Cyrina M. Ostgaard; Danielle C. Hamm; Jack M. Schnell; Cheng-Yu Lee; Melissa M. Harrison
• Keywords: Neuroblast; Cell fate determination; Pioneer factor; Reprogramming; Cell type

During Drosophila embryogenesis, the essential pioneer factor Zelda defines hundreds of cis-regulatory regions and in doing so reprograms zygotic transcriptome. While is later development, it unclear how ability to define shaped by cell-type-specific chromatin architecture. Asymmetric division neural stem cells (neuroblasts) fly brain provide an excellent paradigm for investigating functions this factor. We show that synergistically with Notch maintain neuroblasts undifferentiated state. misexpression progenitor neuroblasts, but capacity limited transcriptional repressors critical commitment. genomic occupancy reorganized as compared embryo, reorganization correlated differences accessibility cofactor availability. propose regulates transitions embryo through a shared gene-regulatory network driven enhancers.