Functional Role of Bap170 Domains in Enhancer-Dependent Gene Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

The Bap170 subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler exhibits activator functions when artificially recruited to the LacZ reporter promoter in enhancer-dependent transcription. In this study, the functional significance of Bap170 protein domains in reporter activation was analyzed. Deletion of the ARID domain does not reduce Bap170 activity. Increased expression of the LacZ reporter was observed in the form of Bap170 without a region that includes LXXLL motifs. Deletions of the central (RFX domain and IDRs) and C-terminal region (zinc fingers) of Bap170 lead to a significant decrease in transgene expression. Apparently, these regions of Bap170 are critical for the function of this protein in enhancer-dependent transcription.