Use of promoter fusions in Drosophila genetics: characterization of a YP1-ADH fusion gene.
In Drosophila melanogaster the yolk protein (YP) genes are normally expressed only in the fat body and follicular epithelium of adult females--never in males or in larvae. We describe here a first step toward a genetic examination of the developmental controls that restrict the activity of the YP genes to adult female tissues. A YP1 promoter that contains the tissue-, temporal-, and sex-specific controlling elements for expression was fused to the reporter gene, alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh). The gene fusion was transformed into an Adh-deficient genotype. As assayed by a number of criteria, that the fusion gene is expressed in the same physiological manner as the endogenous yolk protein genes. The fusion gene's activity is modulated in trans by a temperature-sensitive allele of the sex determination gene, tra-2. The Adh enzyme serves as a selectable marker and therefore these flies are suitable for use in genetic screens for trans-acting mutations that affect the expression of the yolk protein genes.
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Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405.
Osterbur
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DL
Bonner
J J
JJ
D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005796:Genes; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005838:Genotype; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D004527:Egg Proteins; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase