The goal of this proposal is to understand the mechanisms involved in the maternal control (cytotype) of P element transposition in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. P element transposition is the cause of a syndrome of genetic traits known as hybrid dysgenesis. These traits include high rates of sterility and mutation, as well as chromosomal rearrangements and abnormal germline development. P element transposition can be controlled genetically in crosses where P element-bearing females (P strains) are mated to P strain males. Normally hybrid dysgenesis only occurs when P strain males are mated to females lacking P elements (M strains). P strain females produce eggs that are said to possess """"""""P cytotype"""""""" or the ability to repress P element transposition, whereas eggs from M strain females possess the permissive """"""""M cytotype."""""""" P cytotype shows an unusual pattern of inheritance through the female germline. The molecular basis of the maternal effect and inheritance of P cytotype will be investigated using P element-mediated transformation, genetic assays for P element repression and P element mRNA and protein localization. Germline transformation will be used to generate Drosophila strains carrying modified P element transposons engineered to express the 66kD P element repressor protein during oogenesis and to localize the 66kD protein mRNA to the posterior germline precursor (pole) cells. Genetic assays will be used to monitor P cytotype repressor activity of these transformants relative to normal P strains. RNA in situ hybridization and antibody staining will be used to correlate expression of the 66kD mRNA and protein during oogenesis with the maternal effect and inheritance of P cytotype repression. The relative levels of the 66kD and transposase mRNAs in purified germline precursor (pole) cells will be determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM048892-02
Application #
3308343
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1992-08-01
Project End
1995-07-31
Budget Start
1993-08-01
Budget End
1994-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
094878337
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94704