Genetic analysis of two female-sterile loci affecting eggshell integrity and embryonic pattern formation in...

We have analyzed female-sterile mutations at the X-linked loci fs(1)Nas and fs(1)ph which show allele-specific effects on egg shell structure and embryonic pattern formation. The majority of mutant alleles at both loci lead to a collapsed egg phenotype. The maternal effect lethal phenotype is characterized by cuticle defects resembling those found in three autosomal mutants of the terminal class. We have analyzed the complementation behavior of various heteroallelic combinations at both loci and show that one such combination at the fs(1)Nas locus is capable of restoring normal fertility. We have investigated possible interactions between fs(1)Nas and fs(1)ph and also between the terminal allele of fs(1)Nas and various maternal effect mutations altering the anteroposterior polarity of embryos. We have isolated one new allele of fs(1)Nas which combines the locus-typical phenotypic features with novel cuticle phenotypes. Our results suggest that the products of fs(1)Nas and fs(1)ph are required for the stability of the vitelline membrane and are also involved in a morphogenetic pathway necessary for the correct differentiation of the terminal regions of the embryo. Possible mechanisms to account for the association of these two functions are discussed.