Cohabitation of KP and full-length P elements in the genome of MR strains inducing P-M-like hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.
P strains of Drosophila melanogaster are characterized by the presence of both full-length and deletion derivatives of the transposable element P in their genome, and by their ability to induce the syndrome of hybrid dysgenesis among the progeny of certain intra-strain crosses, when introduced through the male parents. In contrast, strains belonging to the M' class, and which were also found to bear P element-homologous sequences, lack this ability and this has been attributed to the presence in the genome of most of these strains of a distinct class of deletion derivatives termed KP, which can suppress the action of functional P factors. Here we demonstrate that KP elements are present, next to full-length ones, in the genome of at least three strains which induce P-M-like dysgenic symptoms, including GD sterility. KP elements form the majority of the P-homologous sequences in the strains MR-h12, 23.5/CyL4 and the latter's derivative 23.5*/Cy. While the first one is a genuine P strain and the second one depicts a strong P cytotype, the third is a genuine M' strain. The hybrid dysgenesis induced by the two 23.5 MRF strains seems to be due, not primarily to the P elements, but to the action of hobo elements.
Monastirioti
M
M
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Research Center of Crete, Greece.
Hatzopoulos
P
P
Stamatis
N
N
Yannopoulos
G
G
Louis
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006059:Gonadal Dysgenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D013489:Suppression, Genetic
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements