Introduction of a functional P element into the germ-line of Drosophila hawaiiensis

When a plasmid carrying a P-transposable element (derived from Drosophila melanogaster) is injected into young embryos of D. hawaiiensis, the P-element sequence from the plasmid transposes into the germ-line chromosomes. The introduction of this P element into D. hawaiiensis provides an opportunity to study the behavior of the transposable element in a novel context. Germ-line transposition and numerical increase of the P elements are readily detected in D. hawaiiensis. Thus these aspects of P-element function do not require chromosomal or cytoplasmic properties that are unique to D. melanogaster. Since D. hawaiiensis is among those Drosophila that are most distantly related to D. melanogaster, these results suggest that P-element-mediated transformation may function in many species.