The Drosophila su(Hw) gene, which controls the phenotypic effect of the gypsy transposable element, encodes a putative DNA-binding protein.
Homozygous mutations at the suppressor of Hairy-wing [su(Hw)] locus reverse the phenotype of gypsy-induced alleles in a number of genes located throughout the Drosophila genome. To understand the molecular basis of this phenomenon, the su(Hw) locus was isolated by chromosomal walking from a cloned homeo-box-containing sequence. The exact location of the gene was determined by Southern analysis of the DNA alterations associated with several su(Hw) alleles. A 9.5-kb KpnI-SalI fragment, where all the DNA changes associated with su(Hw) mutations were mapped, was able to rescue the su(Hw) mutant phenotype after P-element-mediated germ-line transformation. This DNA fragment encodes a 3.3-kb RNA that is expressed in all stages of Drosophila development; the size or abundance of this RNA is affected in several su(Hw) alleles tested. This transcript encodes a protein that contains a highly acidic region and 12 repeats of the 'Zn finger' domain characteristic of some DNA-binding and transcription-activating proteins, supporting the hypothesis that the su(Hw) locus might encode a transcription factor that plays a role in the expression of the gypsy element.
Parkhurst
S M
SM
Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.
Harrison
D A
DA
Remington
M P
MP
Spana
C
C
Kelley
R L
RL
Coyne
R S
RS
Corces
V G
VG
D000483:Alleles; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013489:Suppression, Genetic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012313:RNA