Cell-type-specific chromatin occupancy by the pioneer factor Zelda drives key developmental transitions in Drosophila

Abstract

The pioneer transcription factor Zelda is essential for the reprogramming of germ cells to totipotent cells of the early Drosophila embryo. Here the authors examine the function of Zelda later in development in the larval brain to show that Zelda promotes the undifferentiated stem-cell fate. They further identify factors that limit the reprogramming capacity of this pioneer factor.