Single gene mutations in Drosophila: what can they tell us about the evolution of sexual behaviour?
The molecular analysis of specific mutant genes that affect the courtship behaviours of Drosophila melanogaster males and females is discussed in the light of the possibility that they may contribute to mate choice. There is clear evidence that some genes can act as a reservoir of species-specific behaviour, particularly for the male actions during courtship. However, to date there has not been a single genetic locus that has been isolated at the molecular level and shown to be associated with a change in female preference. There are some promising avenues of exploration, in that recent genetic analyses suggest that a small number of genes may make major contributions to female preferences. Finally a candidate gene approach is advocated in which orthologous genes from other species of Drosophila are used as 'natural' mutations, and transformed into D. melanogaster hosts to investigate whether they carry species-specific mating information of the donor.
Kyriacou
Charalambos P
CP
Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, Leicester, UK. cpk@leicester.ac.uk
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C070174:NONA protein, Drosophila; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C539040:PER protein, Drosophila; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C103226:fru protein, Drosophila