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 repressor of 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 suppression of transposase activity from the unusually stable genomic P element, Δ2-3(99B), that normally produces transposase in both germinal and somatic tissues. The P cytotype-like effects include suppression of sn(w) germline hypermutability, sn(w) somatic mosaicism, pupal lethality, and gonadal dysgenic sterility. Unlike P cytotype, however, there was no reciprocal cross effect in the inheritance of repression.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 815-824 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Genetics |
Volume | 123 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics