Data from: Odd-paired controls frequency doubling in Drosophila segmentation by altering the pair-rule gene regulatory network

The Drosophila embryo transiently exhibits a double segment periodicity, defined by the expression of seven "pair-rule" genes, each in a pattern of seven stripes. At gastrulation, interactions between the pair-rule genes lead to frequency doubling and the patterning of fourteen parasegment boundaries. In contrast to earlier stages of Drosophila anteroposterior patterning, this transition is not well understood. By carefully analysing the spatiotemporal dynamics of pair-rule gene expression, we demonstrate that frequency-doubling is precipitated by multiple coordinated changes to the network of regulatory interactions between the pair-rule genes. We identify the broadly expressed but temporally patterned transcription factor, Odd-paired (Opa/Zic), as the cause of these changes, and show that the patterning of the even-numbered parasegment boundaries relies on Opa-dependent regulatory interactions. Our findings indicate that the pair-rule gene regulatory network has a temporally-modulated topology, permitting the pair-rule genes to play stage-specific patterning roles.

果蝇胚胎会短暂呈现双节段周期性，该特性由7种成对规则基因（pair-rule genes）的表达所界定，每种基因均呈现7条条纹的表达模式。在原肠作用阶段，成对规则基因间的相互作用会引发频率加倍效应，并形成14个副体节边界的模式建成格局。与果蝇早期前后轴模式建成阶段相比，这一转变过程目前尚未得到充分阐释。通过细致分析成对规则基因表达的时空动态特征，我们证实频率加倍现象是由成对规则基因间的调控互作网络发生多组协同变化所触发的。我们鉴定出广谱表达但具有时序调控特性的转录因子Odd-paired（Opa/Zic）为这类变化的诱因，并证实偶数编号副体节边界的模式建成依赖于Opa依赖型调控互作。本研究结果表明，成对规则基因调控网络具有时序调控的拓扑结构，这使得成对规则基因能够发挥阶段特异性的模式建成功能。