Drosophila Epigenetics

Heritable and dynamic posttranslational modifications of histone proteins serve as the foundation for epigenetic mechanisms underlying gene transcriptional control in eukaryotes. Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be an invaluable model system for unraveling the fundamental role these marks play in various conserved biological processes. In this chapter we will discuss how studies utilizing Drosophila have provided important insights into the function of the generation and maintenance of specific epigenetic patterns in chromatin that govern processes unique to the fly such as X-linked dosage compensation, and in processes conserved in humans such as epigenetic mechanisms underlying gene control, position-effect variegation, developmental programming, epigenetic inheritance, and neuronal plasticity guiding learning and memory. Lastly, we will explore examples of how Drosophila represents a uniquely powerful tool for analyzing the detrimental consequences of aberrations in epigenetic patterns in neurological disorders and thus represents a valuable resource for the development of potential therapeutic interventions.