Infection of the gonads of the SimES strain of Drosophila simulans by the hereditary reovirus DSV.
The S character of Drosophila simulans SimES-st strain undergoes a non-mendelian transmission. It has been postulated that a virus, Drosophila S virus (DSV), could be the causative agent. Electron microscopy analysis of gonads of flies showing a strong S phenotype revealed the presence of virus in or near the germ cells. The S character transmission rate is greater in females than that in males. Similarly, the level of infection by DSV is higher in ovaries than that in testes. Flies treated at a nonpermissive temperature do not present the S phenotype and appear to be cured from the virus. This information, taken together with previous work, makes the hypothesis that DSV is the causative agent of the S phenotype more than likely.
López Ferber
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Station de Recherches de Pathologie Comparée, INRA-CNRS, Saint Christol les Alès, France. lopez@ales.inra.fr
Ferreiro Ríos
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A
Kuhl
G
G
Comendador
M A
MA
Louis
C
C
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D007304:Insect Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000821:virology; D012087:Reoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013696:Temperature; D013737:Testis / Q000821:virology