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Interacting genes that affect microtubule function in Drosophila melanogaster: two classes of mutation revert the

C L Regan1, M T Fuller

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309.

Genetics
|May 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

The Drosophila haywire (hay) gene product is crucial for microtubule function. New mutations reveal two functional domains, with some restoring haywire function and others disrupting its interaction with microtubules, impacting male fertility.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The haywire (hay) gene in Drosophila melanogaster is implicated in microtubule function.
  • The haync2 mutation exhibits male sterility and fails to complement mutations in beta 2-tubulin and alpha-tubulin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the haywire gene product in microtubule function.
  • To identify and characterize mutations that suppress the haync2 mutation's effects.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic complementation tests between haync2 and tubulin mutations.
  • Isolation and characterization of ten new mutations reverting the haync2 phenotype.
  • Recombination tests to confirm intragenic nature of revertant mutations.
  • Phenotypic analysis of revertant mutations in different genetic backgrounds.

Main Results:

  • Ten new mutations were identified, all intragenic to the hay gene.
  • Revertant mutations fell into two phenotypic classes, suggesting two functional domains of the hay gene product.
  • Some revertants restored partial haywire function, while others were lethal, indicating essentiality for viability.
  • Flies heterozygous for haync2 and extreme revertants displayed defects in male meiotic spindle structure and function.

Conclusions:

  • The haywire gene product is essential for viability and plays a critical role in microtubule organization, particularly in the male meiotic spindle.
  • The haync2 mutation likely acts as a structural poison affecting microtubule function.
  • The identified functional domains are critical for haywire's role in microtubule integrity and male fertility.

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