Variegated expression of the Sgs-4 locus in Drosophila melanogaster

Experiments on T(1;4)wm258-21 larvae of Drosophila melanogaster are described which establish the existence of a salivary gland specific marker for position-effect variegation. The marker is a glue protein gene called Sgs-4 which is expressed during the third larval instar. Using temperature as a variegation modifier, we showed that cytological compaction for the Sgs-4 chromosomal locus is enhanced at 17 degrees C and reduced at 29 degrees C. We also found that the Sgs-4 protein and transcript from salivary glands at 17 degrees C accumulate to roughly half the levels found in salivary glands at 29 degrees C. Southern analysis suggested that the Sgs-4 locus at 17 degrees C is polytenized to roughly one-third the level at 29 degrees C. The results are discussed with respect to alternative models of variegation.