A molecular basis for natural selection at the timeless locus in Drosophila melanogaster.
Diapause is a protective response to unfavorable environments that results in a suspension of insect development and is most often associated with the onset of winter. The ls-tim mutation in the Drosophila melanogaster clock gene timeless has spread in Europe over the past 10,000 years, possibly because it enhances diapause. We show that the mutant allele attenuates the photosensitivity of the circadian clock and causes decreased dimerization of the mutant TIMELESS protein isoform to CRYPTOCHROME, the circadian photoreceptor. This interaction results in a more stable TIMELESS product. These findings reveal a molecular link between diapause and circadian photoreception.
Sandrelli
Federica
F
Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
Tauber
Eran
E
Pegoraro
Mirko
M
Mazzotta
Gabriella
G
Cisotto
Paola
P
Landskron
Johannes
J
Stanewsky
Ralf
R
Piccin
Alberto
A
Rosato
Ezio
E
Zordan
Mauro
M
Costa
Rodolfo
R
Kyriacou
Charalambos P
CP
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics; D002980:Climate; D056931:Cryptochromes; D019281:Dimerization; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005420:Flavoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D009043:Motor Activity; D009154:Mutation; D017440:Photoperiod; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013696:Temperature; D019076:Transgenes; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
D056931:Cryptochromes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005420:Flavoproteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; C096445:tim protein, Drosophila