The effects of chromosome rearrangements on the expression of heterochromatic genes in chromosome 2L of Drosophila melanogaster

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Genetics; (USA)

OSTI ID:6524327

Wakimoto, B T; Hearn, M G ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Washington, Seattle (USA)

The light (lt) gene of Drosophila melanogaster is located at the base of the left arm of chromosome 2, within or very near centromeric heterochromatin (2Lh). Chromosome rearrangements that move the lt{sup +} gene from its normal proximal position and place the gene in distal euchromatin result in mosaic or variegated expression of the gene. The cytogenetic and genetic properties of 17 lt-variegated rearrangements induced by X radiation are described in this report. The authors show that five of the heterochromatic genes adjacent to lt are subject to inactivation by these rearrangements and that the euchromatic loci in proximal 2L are not detectably affected. The properties of the rearrangements suggest that proximity to heterochromatin is an important regulatory requirement for at least six 2Lh genes. They discuss how the properties of the position effects on heterochromatic genes relate to other proximity-dependent phenomena such as transvection.

• OSTI ID: 6524327
• Journal Information: Genetics; (USA), Journal Name: Genetics; (USA) Vol. 125:1; ISSN 0016-6731; ISSN GENTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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560120* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
COLOR
DIPTERA
DROSOPHILA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLIES
FRUIT FLIES
GENES
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GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
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ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
X RADIATION