Comparative analysis of PRE DNA-binding factors interactomes: purification of Combgap, Zeste, Psq and Adf1 associated proteins

The Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG) proteins are key epigenetic regulators controlling silenced and active states of genes in multicellular organisms, respectively. In Drosophila PcG/TrxG proteins are recruited to chromatin via binding to specialized DNA-elements termed Polycomb Response Elements (PREs). While precise mechanisms of PcG/TrxG proteins recruitment remains unknown, the important role is suggested to belong to sequence specific DNA-binding factors. Here, using affinity purification coupled with high throughput mass spectrometry (IP/MS), we isolated factors associated with Combgap, Psq, Zeste and Adf1 PRE DNA-binding Drosophila proteins. As a control we used unspecific IgG. For affinity purification the nuclear extract from Drosophila S2 cells and polyclonal antibodies against Combgap, Psq, Zeste and Adf1 were used.