Genetic analysis of the second chromosome centromeric heterochromatin of Drosophila melanogaster

Genome ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair B Coulthard ◽  
Daniel F Eberl ◽  
Cecil B Sharp ◽  
Arthur J Hilliker
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Lethal Mutant ◽  
Genetic Elements ◽  
Unpublished Work ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes

Here we bring together our published and unpublished work with recent published findings of other laboratories to provide a revised map of the centromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 2 and descriptions of the 21 genetic elements therein. These elements consist of 16 vital loci, one male and one female sterile loci, one Minute locus, and two components of the Segregation Distorter system. Based on our latest analysis of the lethal mutant phenotypes of the vital genes, we have provided names for several genes that were previously known by their lethal number assignments.Key words: heterochromatin, Drosophila, cytogenetics.

Linkage and segregation distortion in Drosophila melanogaster

Genome ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 840-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecil B. Sharp ◽  
Arthur J. Hilliker
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Segregation Distortion ◽  
Homologous Chromosome ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Genetic Elements ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Per Se

Segregation distortion is caused by a group of genetic elements in and near the centric heterochromatin of chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogaster. These elements promote their preferential recovery in heterozygous males by rendering sperm bearing the homologous chromosome dysfunctional. Previous work has shown that numerous Y–autosome translocations are associated with the suppression of the segregation distorter phenotype. The present study examined the effects of translocations between the major autosomes upon the expression of segregation distortion. Autosomal translocations involving either the segregation distorter chromosome or its sensitive homologue had no significant effect upon the expression of segregation distortion. These results argue that linkage arrangement per se may not have a major effect on segregation distortion. The suppression of SD by specific Y–autosomal translocations may be due to the disruption of elements on the Y chromosome that are important for the expression of SD.Key words: segregation distortion, meiotic drive, translocations, Drosophila melanogaster.

scholarly journals GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE CENTROMERIC HETEROCHROMATIN OF CHROMOSOME 2 OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER: DEFICIENCY MAPPING OF EMS-INDUCED LETHAL COMPLEMENTATION GROUPS

Genetics ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-782
Author(s):  
Arthur J Hilliker
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Heterochromatic Region ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Genetic Constitution ◽  
Genetic Dissection ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Multiple Alleles ◽  
Products Analysis ◽  
Dominance Tests

ABSTRACT Until recently, little was known of the genetic constitution of the heterochromatic segments of the major autosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Our previous report described the genetic dissection of the proximal, heterochromatic region of chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogasterby means of a series of overlapping deficiencies generated by the detachment of compound second autosomes (Hilliker and Holm 1975). Analysis of these deficiencies by inter se complementation, pseudo-dominance tests with proximal mutations and allelism tests with known deficiencies provided evidence for the existence of at least two loci between the centromere and the light locus in 2L and one locus in 2R between the rolled locus and the centromere. These data in conjunction with cytological observations demonstrated that light and rolled and three loci lying between them are located within the proximal heterochromatin of the second chromosome.——The present report describes the further analysis of this region through the induction with ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) of recessive lethals allelic to the 2L and 2R proximal deficiencies associated with the detachment products. Analysis of the 118 EMS-induced recessive lethals and visible mutations recovered provided evidence for seven loci in the 2L heterochromatin and six loci in the 2R heterochromatin, with multiple alleles being obtained for most sites. Of these loci, one in 2L and two in 2R fall near the heterochromatic-euchromatic junctions of 2L and 2R respectively. None of the 113 EMS lethals behaved as a deficiency, implying that the heterochromatic loci uncovered in this study represent nonrepetitive cistrons. Thus functional genetic loci are found in heterochromatin, albeit at a very low density relative to euchromatin.

The effects of chromosome rearrangements on the expression of heterochromatic genes in chromosome 2L of Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
B T Wakimoto ◽  
M G Hearn
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Chromosome Rearrangements ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Regulatory Requirement ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Heterochromatic Genes

Abstract The light (lt) gene of Drosophila melanogaster is located at the base of the left arm of chromosome 2, within or very near centromeric heterochromatin (2Lh). Chromosome rearrangements that move the lt+ gene from its normal proximal position and place the gene in distal euchromatin result in mosaic or variegated expression of the gene. The cytogenetic and genetic properties of 17 lt-variegated rearrangements are described in this report. We show that five of the heterochromatic genes adjacent to lt are subject to inactivation by these rearrangements and that the euchromatic loci in proximal 2L are not detectably affected. The properties of the rearrangements suggest that proximity to heterochromatin is an important regulatory requirement for at least six 2Lh genes. We discuss how the properties of the position effects on heterochromatic genes relate to other proximity-dependent phenomena such as transvection.

A genetic and molecular profile of third chromosome centric heterochromatin in Drosophila melanogaster

Genome ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
K A Fitzpatrick ◽  
D A Sinclair ◽  
S R Schulze ◽  
M Syrzycka ◽  
B M Honda
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
Chromosome 3 ◽  
Unpublished Work ◽  
Sequencing Studies ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Complementation Groups

In this review, we combine the results of our published and unpublished work with the published results of other laboratories to provide an updated map of the centromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 3 in Drosophila melanogaster. To date, we can identify more than 20 genes (defined DNA sequences with well-characterized functions and (or) defined genetic complementation groups), including at least 16 essential loci. With the ongoing emergence of data from genetic, cytological, and genome sequencing studies, we anticipate continued, substantial progress towards understanding the function, structure, and evolution of centric heterochromatin.Key words: heterochromatin, Drosophila, cytogenetics, genomics.

scholarly journals The organization and expression of the light gene, a heterochromatic gene of Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Devlin ◽  
B Bingham ◽  
B T Wakimoto
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Molecular Mapping ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Transcription Unit ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Induced Mutations ◽  
Flanking Regions

Abstract The light (lt) gene is located in the centromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogaster. This gene is necessary for normal levels of pigmentation in a number of adult and larval tissues and is required for viability. Hybrid dysgenic and X-ray induced mutations have been used to identify the gene and compare its organization to that of euchromatic genes. Molecular mapping of lt mutations and its major transcripts has shown that the lt gene is at least 17 kb. By injecting cosmid clones that include this region into lt mutant embryos, we have defined a 30-kb region that can transiently rescue the pigmentation defect in the Malpighian tubules. The major transcription unit of this gene is comprised of exons that are single copy. It is unusual in its organization in having a heterogeneous array of middle repetitive DNA sequences within its intronic and flanking regions.

scholarly journals Persistent one-way walking in a circular arena in Drosophila melanogaster Canton-S strain

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengfeng Xiao ◽  
Shuang Qiu ◽  
R Meldrum Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
Directional Change ◽  
Pleiotropic Function

AbstractWe describe persistent one-way walking of Drosophila melanogaster in a circular arena. Wild-type Canton-S adult flies walked in one direction, counter-clockwise or clockwise, for minutes, whereas white-eyed mutant w1118 changed directions frequently. Locomotion in the circular arena could be classified into four components: counter-clockwise walking, clockwise walking, nondirectional walking and pausing. Genetic analysis revealed that while wild-type genetic background was associated with reduced directional change and reduced numbers of one-way (including counterclockwise and clockwise) and nondirectional walks, the white (w+) locus promoted persistent oneway walking by increasing the maximal duration of one-way episodes. The promoting effect of w+ was further supported by the observations that (1) w+ duplicated to the Y chromosome, (2) four genomic copies of mini-white inserted on the autosomes, and (3) pan-neuronal overexpression of the White protein increased the maximal duration of one-way episodes, and that RNAi knockdown of w+ in the neurons decreased the maximal duration of one-way episodes. These results suggested a pleiotropic function of w+ in promoting persistent one-way walking in the circular arena.

scholarly journals Using the P{wHy} Hybrid Transposable Element to Disrupt Genes in Region 54D-55B in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 162 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E Mohr ◽  
William M Gelbart
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Transposable Element ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Drosophila Genome ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Lethal Mutations ◽  
F Region ◽  
Nested Sets ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes ◽  
Improved Methods

Abstract Understanding the function of each gene in the genome of a model organism such as Drosophila melanogaster is an important goal. The development of improved methods for uncovering the mutant phenotypes of specific genes can accelerate achievement of this goal. The P{wHy} hybrid transposable element can be used to generate nested sets of precisely mapped deletions in a given region of the Drosophila genome. Here we use the P{wHy} method to generate overlapping, molecularly defined deletions from a set of three P{wHy} insertions in the 54E-F region of chromosome 2. Deletions that span a total of 0.5 Mb were identified and molecularly mapped precisely. Using overlapping deletions, the mutant phenotypes of nine previously uncharacterized genes in a 101-kb region were determined, including identification of new loci required for viability and female fertility. In addition, the deletions were used to molecularly map previously isolated lethal mutations. Thus, the P{wHy} method provides an efficient method for systematically determining the phenotypes of genes in a given region of the fly genome.

FURTHER CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETIC ELEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEGREGATION DISTORTER PHENOMENON IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Genetics ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-688
Author(s):  
Cecil B Sharp ◽  
Arthur J Hilliker ◽  
David G Holm
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
Genetic Components ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Crossover Analysis ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right

ABSTRACT Segregation Distorter, SD, associated with the second chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster, is known to cause sperm bearing the non-SD homologue to dysfunction in heterozygous males. In earlier studies, using different, independently derived, SD chromosomes, three major loci were identified as contributing to the distortion of segregation ratios in males. In this study the genetic components of the SD-5 chromosome have been the subjects of further investigation, and our findings offer the following information. Crossover analysis confirms the mapping of the Sd locus to a position distal to but closely linked with the genetic marker pr. Spontaneous and radiation-induced recombinational analyses and deficiency studies provide firm support to the notion that the Rsp(Responder) locus lies within the proximal heterochromatin of chromosome 2, between the genetic markers lt and rl and most likely in the heterochromatin of the right arm. The major focus of this study, however, has been on providing a better definition of the genetic properties of the Enhancer of SD [E(SD)]. Our findings place this locus within the region of the two most proximal essential genes in the heterochromatin of the left arm of chromosome 2. Moreover, our analysis reveals a probable association of the E(SD) locus with a meiotic drive independent of that caused by Sd.

scholarly journals Essential Loci in Centromeric Heterochromatin of Drosophila melanogaster. I: The Right Arm of Chromosome 2

Genetics ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 185 (2) ◽  
pp. 479-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair B. Coulthard ◽  
Christina Alm ◽  
Iulia Cealiac ◽  
Don A. Sinclair ◽  
Barry M. Honda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
The Right

scholarly journals GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROXIMAL REGION OF CHROMOSOME 2 OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. I. DETACHMENT PRODUCTS OF COMPOUND AUTOSOMES

Genetics ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-721
Author(s):  
A J Hilliker ◽  
D G Holm
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Proximal Region ◽  
Promising Method ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Genetic Composition ◽  
Allelism Tests ◽  
Dominance Tests

ABSTRACT To examine the genetic composition of proximal heterochromain in chromosome 2, the detachment of compound second autosomes, for generating proximal deficiencies, appeared a promising method. Compound seconds were detached by gamma radiation. A fraction of the detachment products were recessive lethals owing to proximal deficiencies. Analysis by inter se complementation, pseudo-dominance tests with proximal mutations and allelism tests with known deficiencies provided evidence for at least two loci between the centromere and the light locus in 2L and one locus in 2R between the rolled locus and the centromere. The data further demonstrate that rolled, and probably light, are located within the proximal heterochromatin. Thus, functional genetic loci are found in heterochromatin, albeit at low density.

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