title: Expression of the yolk-protein genes in the mutant doublesex dominant (dsxD) of Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Adult flies mutant for doublesex dominant (dsxD) are intermediate in phenotype between males and females. The dsxD mutation acts in the heterozygous state to transform only flies with two X chromosomes into intersexes, XY flies are unaffected by the mutation. Yolk-protein synthesis, which normally occurs in the ovaries and fat bodies of females, but not in males unless stimulated with 20-hydroxy-ecdysone, is reduced. The dsxD fat body synthesizes less yolk proteins throughout adult life, and the gonads rarely make yolk proteins. Using cloned yolk-protein genes as probes for measuring transcript levels we have shown that expression of these genes in dsxD is regulated both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally. We suggest that the dsxD locus regulates the expression of the yolk-protein genes from within the fat body cells and does not operate by modulating ecdysteroid titres in the adults.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004530:Egg Yolk; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006066:Gonads / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009154:Mutation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004527:Egg Proteins; D012313:RNA