Expression of Drosophila homologue of senescence marker protein-30 during cold acclimation

Gene expression during cold acclimation at a moderately low temperature (15 degrees C) was studied in Drosophila melanogaster using a subtraction technique. A gene homologous to senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30), which has a Ca(2+)-binding function, was up-regulated at the transcription level after acclimation to 15 degrees C. This gene (henceforth referred to as Dca) was also expressed at a higher level in individuals reared at 15 degrees C from the egg stage than in those reared at 25 degrees C. Moreover, DCA mRNA increased at the senescent stage in Drosophila, although SMP30 is reported to decrease at senescent stages in mammals. In situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes revealed that the Dca gene was located at 88D on chromosome 3R. The 5' flanking region of this gene had AP-1 (a transcription factor of SMP30) binding sites, stress response element and some other transcription factor binding sites. The function of DCA was discussed in relation to the possible regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration.