University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Modified P elements that mimic the P cytotype in Drosophila melanogaster

Robertson, Hugh M.; Engels, William R.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/219

Description

Title
Modified P elements that mimic the P cytotype in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s)
  • Robertson, Hugh M.
  • Engels, William R.
Issue Date
1989-12
Keyword(s)
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Genetics
Abstract
Activity of the P family of transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster is regulated primarily by a cellular condition known as P cytotype. It has been hypothesized that P cytotype depends on a P element-encoded repressoro f transposition and excision. We provide evidence in support of this idea by showing that two modified P elements, each with lesions affecting the fourth transposase exon, mimic most of the P cytotype effects. These elements were identified by means of two sensitive assays capable of detecting repression by a single P element. One assay makes use of cytotype-dependent gene expression of certain P element insertion mutations at the singed bristle locus. The other measures suppressiono f transposase activity from the unusually stable genomic P element, A2-3(99B), that normally produces transposase in both germinal and somatic tissues. The P cytotype-like effects include suppression of snw germline hypermutability, snw somatic mosaicism, pupal lethality, and gonadal dysgenic sterility. Unlike P cytotype, however, there was no reciprocal cross effect in the inheritance of repression.
Publisher
Genetics Society of America
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/219
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Copyright owned by Genetics Society of America

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