Gene mobility elements mediate cell type specific genome organization and radial gene movement .

Understanding the level of genome organization that governs gene regulation remains a challenge despite advancements in chromatin profiling techniques. Cell type specific chromatin architectures may be obscured by averaging heterogeneous cell populations. Here we took a reductionist perspective, starting with the relocation of the gene to the nuclear lamina in neuroblasts.

Enhancer of trithorax/polycomb, Corto, regulates timing of hunchback gene relocation and competence in Drosophila neuroblasts.

Background: Neural progenitors produce diverse cells in a stereotyped birth order, but can specify each cell type for only a limited duration. In the Drosophila embryo, neuroblasts (neural progenitors) specify multiple, distinct neurons by sequentially expressing a series of temporal identity transcription factors with each division. Hunchback (Hb), the first of the series, specifies early-born neuronal identity.