Identification and molecular characterization of a sex chromosome rearrangement causing a soft and pliable (spli) larval body phenotype in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
We carried out genetic and cytogenetic analyses of X-ray-induced deleterious Z chromosomes that result in a soft and pliable (spli) phenotype in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. In a B. mori strain with a spli phenotype, we found the Z chromosome broken between the sch (1-21.5) and od (1-49.6) loci. We also found a chromosomal fragment bearing a fifth-chromosome locus for egg and eye pigmentation fused to a Z chromosome fragment. By means of fluorescence in situ hybridization using bacterial artificial chromosome clones as probes, we confirmed that the fused chromosome is composed of a fragment of chromosome 5 and a fragment of the Z chromosome. Moreover, a predicted gene, GA002017, the Bombyx ortholog of the Drosophila gene acj6 (Bmacj6), was completely deleted by the Z chromosome breakage event. The relationship between Bmacj6 and the spli phenotype is discussed.
Fujii
Tsuguru
T
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
Kuwazaki
Seigo
S
Yamamoto
Kimiko
K
Abe
Hiroaki
H
Ohnuma
Akio
A
Katsuma
Susumu
S
Mita
Kazuei
K
Shimada
Toru
T
D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D019457:Chromosome Breakage; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D056426:Genetic Loci; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics; D013008:Somatotypes / Q000235:genetics
D005819:Genetic Markers