Gene marker loss induced by the transposable element, En, in maize.
The En/Spm transposable element system in maize includes the functional element, En/Spm and the receptor element I/dSpm. An En receptor has been found that shows En-induced breakage. This En-responsive receptor (designated I836518) is located on the short arm of chromosome 9, proximal to Wx. In the presence of En, markers distal to the receptor show a loss of gene expression. Kernels heterozygous for aleurone and endosperm marker genes have a variegated appearance. The hypothesis is advanced that this variegation represents a physical loss of the chromosome segments carrying the genes distal to the receptor position. It is the first case of an En-controlled breakage event.
Cormack
J
J
Agronomy Department, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
Peterson
P A
PA
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D017353:Gene Deletion; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D005819:Genetic Markers; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005819:Genetic Markers