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.
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.
Tsuguru
T
Fujii
Seigo
S
Kuwazaki
Kimiko
K
Yamamoto
Hiroaki
H
Abe
Akio
A
Ohnuma
Susumu
S
Katsuma
Kazuei
K
Mita
Toru
T
Shimada
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