Genetics, Vol 122, 81-86, Copyright © 1989


INVESTIGATIONS

Transposition of the Responder Element (Rsp) of the Segregation distorter System (SD) to the X Chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster

E. S. Walker, T. W. Lyttle and J. C. Lucchesi
Department of Biology and Curriculum in Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

In order to test whether the meiotic drive system Segregation distorter (SD) can operate on the X chromosome to exclude it from functional sperm, we have transposed the Responder locus (Rsp) to this element. This was accomplished by inducing detachments of a compound-X chromosome in females carrying a Y chromosome bearing a Rsp(s) allele. Six Responder-sensitive-bearing X chromosomes, with k values ranging from 0.90 to 1.00, were established as permanent lines. Two of these have been characterized more extensively with respect to various parameters affecting meiotic drive. SD males with a Responder-sensitive X chromosome produce almost exclusively male embryos, while those with a Rsp-Y chromosome produce almost exclusively female embryos. This provides a genetic system of great potential utility for the study of early sex-specific differentiation events as it allows the collection of large numbers of embryos of a given sex.


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M Steinmann-Zwicky
Sex determination in Drosophila: sis-b, a major numerator element of the X:A ratio in the soma, does not contribute to the X:A ratio in the germ line
Development, January 2, 1993; 117(2): 763 - 767.
[Abstract] [PDF]