Abnormal anaphase resolution (aar): a locus required for progression through mitosis in Drosophila

We describe a new mitotic locus of Drosophila melanogaster required for the progression through mitosis in the syncytial embryo and in late larval development. The locus aar (abnormal anaphase resolution) maps to the cytological interval 85E7-F16 and was identified by two alleles. The aar1 allele causes pupal lethality. Larval neuroblasts show an elevated mitotic index with high chromosome condensation and stretched and lagging chromatids during anaphase. aar2 produces fully viable but sterile females. aar1/aar2 females lay eggs that develop mitotic figures with similar abnormalities to those observed in neuroblasts. Indirect immunofluorescence of these embryos indicates that the centrosome cycle appears normal, although some abnormal spindle microtubules can be seen during mitosis.