[Molecular nature of the unstable white-starka allele]

In 1992, Bashkirov et al. described the case of occurrence in line C(1)RM, yw/0; Dp(1; 3) wvco/+ of a unique female with light, uniformly colored eyes. This trait was not inherited together with Dp(1; 3) wvco but was linked to the X chromosome. We denoted this new allele as white-starka (wstr). It proved to be unstable, demonstrating mutational transitions to other allelic states with frequencies of 10(-3) to 10(-5). Southern blot analysis showed that the wstr mutation was induced by an insertion of an unknown sequence with a length approximately evaluated by the authors in 1992 as 7 kb. Using a wider spectrum of restriction endonucleases and a prolonged gel running, we were able to estimate the size of this insertion more precisely. According to our data, in the case of wstr we are dealing with an insertion in the locus white of a sequence 15.1 kb long. As seen from our restriction map of the allele wstr, this insertion does not resemble retroposons with long terminal repeats, but is possibly similar to LINE mobile elements of Het-A and TART types, characteristic for heterochromatin.