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Msl2

Msl2, short for male-specific lethal 2, is a gene in Drosophila melanogaster that encodes a protein component of the dosage compensation complex (MSL complex). The MSL complex acts to upregulate transcription from the single male X chromosome, balancing gene expression between males and females.

Protein and function: Msl2 is one of the core subunits required for targeting and assembly of the

Expression and regulation: Msl2 expression is male-specific and essential for the male-specific dosage compensation pathway. In

Mechanism and outcome: The MSL complex binds broadly across the active X chromosome in males and promotes

Context: Msl2 is a well-studied component of the Drosophila dosage compensation system and serves as a model

MSL
complex
on
the
X
chromosome.
The
encoded
protein
contains
a
RING
finger
domain
and
is
believed
to
function
as
an
E3
ubiquitin
ligase,
contributing
to
chromatin-associated
activities
that
support
dosage
compensation.
Msl2
interacts
with
other
MSL
proteins,
including
MSL1,
MSL3,
MOF
(a
histone
H4
lysine
16
acetyltransferase),
and
MLE,
as
well
as
roX
noncoding
RNAs,
to
form
a
chromatin-associated
complex.
females,
the
Sex-lethal
(Sxl)
protein
represses
the
translation
of
Msl2
mRNA,
preventing
the
assembly
of
the
MSL
complex
and
thereby
avoiding
upregulation
of
the
female
X
chromosomes.
histone
H4
acetylation
at
lysine
16
via
MOF.
This
modification
is
associated
with
increased
transcriptional
output,
contributing
to
dosage
compensation
between
the
sexes.
The
precise
substrates
and
regulatory
networks
of
Msl2’s
ubiquitin
ligase
activity
are
areas
of
ongoing
research.
for
understanding
chromatin-based
regulation
of
gene
expression
and
sex-specific
gene
regulation.