Interacting hobo transposons in an inbred strain and interaction regulation in hybrids of Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics. 1993 Jul;134(3):895-908. doi: 10.1093/genetics/134.3.895.

Abstract

A transposable hobo element in the Notch locus of the Uc-1 X chromosome, which does not interfere with the normal expression of the locus, interacts with other hobo elements in the same X chromosome to produce Notch mutations. Almost all of these mutations are associated with deficiencies, inversions or other rearrangements, and hobo elements are present at each of the breakpoints. The Uc-1 X chromosome produces the Notch mutations at a rate of 4-8% in both sexes of flies in a strain that has been inbred for 96 generations. At least two-thirds of the mutations are produced in clusters suggesting that they have originated in mitotic (premeiotic) germ cells of the Uc-1 inbred strain. The interaction of hobo elements in the Uc-1 X chromosome can be repressed by at least two different mechanisms. One found in three inbred strains not related to the Uc-1 strain involves a maternal effect that is not attributable to the actions or products of hobo elements. Repression by this mechanism is manifested by a clear reciprocal cross effect so that the production of Notch mutations is repressed in the daughters of Uc-1 males, but not in the daughters of Uc-1 females. The other mechanism apparently requires genetic factors and/or hobo elements in a particular strain of Oregon-R; complete repression is present in both types of hybrids between Uc-1 and this strain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • DNA Transposable Elements*
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Female
  • Hybridization, Genetic
  • Insect Hormones / genetics
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Receptors, Notch
  • X Chromosome

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Hormones
  • Membrane Proteins
  • N protein, Drosophila
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Receptors, Notch