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Published on: October 6, 2016
Studies on fused, a mutant gene producing ovarian tumors in Drosophila melanogaster
Abstract:
Flies homozygous for the mutant gene fused (fu) are characterized by fused wing veins, a maternal effect upon embryogenesis, and ovarian tumors. A number of mutant alleles have been studied and all exhibit this same syndrome. The rate at which ovarian tumors develop is characteristic for each allele. This rate was shown to be independent of modifying genes and unaffected by the maternal cytoplasm. The rate is also temperature-sensitive, tumors appearing more slowly at 18 than at 25 degrees C. Females heterozygous for all possible combinations of these alleles were produced, and, in all 21, tumors were observed in the compound females. Cases of dominance, complementarity, and interference were observed with reference to certain allelic combinations. A model is proposed to explain the diverse effects on development of the fused gene and also the interaction of the alleles in ovarian development. Females homozygous for fused and either heterozygous or homozygous for the second chromosomal recessive gene female-sterile (fes) were also studied. The fes gene was shown to be epistatic to fu in fu/fu; fes/fes females, and the rate of tumor production was greater in fu/fu; fes/+ females than in fu/fu; +/+ females. A mechanism for the action of fu and fes in controlling cell division is presented.
Insights
The study investigates the fused (fu) gene in flies, revealing its role in wing vein fusion, embryogenesis, and ovarian tumor development. Different alleles show distinct tumor development rates, influenced by temperature but not genetic modifiers or maternal cytoplasm.
Area of Science:
- Developmental genetics
- Molecular biology
- Drosophila melanogaster research
Background:
- The mutant gene fused (fu) in flies causes fused wing veins, developmental defects, and ovarian tumors.
- Multiple alleles of the fu gene exhibit a consistent syndrome with allele-specific tumor development rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the effects of the fused (fu) gene on fly development and ovarian tumor formation.
- To investigate the genetic interactions and mechanisms underlying the fu gene's pleiotropic effects.
- To explore the epistatic relationship between the fu gene and the female-sterile (fes) gene.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of homozygous and heterozygous fly crosses involving various fu alleles.
- Temperature sensitivity studies on ovarian tumor development rates.
- Investigation of interactions between fu and the female-sterile (fes) gene.
Main Results:
- Ovarian tumor development rate is allele-specific, temperature-sensitive, and independent of modifying genes and maternal cytoplasm.
- Heterozygous combinations of fu alleles resulted in ovarian tumors, with observed dominance, complementarity, and interference.
- The female-sterile (fes) gene is epistatic to fu, and its presence influences tumor production rates in fu/fu flies.
Conclusions:
- A model is proposed to explain the diverse developmental effects and allelic interactions of the fused gene.
- The study presents a mechanism for the action of fu and fes genes in controlling cell division during development.
