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. 1989 Dec;123(4):815–824. doi: 10.1093/genetics/123.4.815

Modified P Elements That Mimic the P Cytotype in Drosophila Melanogaster

H M Robertson 1, W R Engels 1
PMCID: PMC1203891  PMID: 2558959

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.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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