Isocitrate dehydrogenase in D. melanogaster imaginal discs: pattern development and alteration by homoeotic mutant genes

Abstract

The distribution of the soluble form of NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) was examined in Drosophila melanogaster imaginal discs. Development of the enzyme patterns and the specific transformations of the patterns by homoeotic mutants were studied. ICDH pattern formation was followed in eye-antennal discs and wing discs from the late 2nd instar stage through 3rd instar and 8 hours into prepupal development. The patterns formed gradually in both disc types. The most interesting pattern developed in the eye portion of the eye-antennal disc complex. ICDH distribution as well as staining intensity correlated well with differentiation of the ommatidia. The spatial distribution of ICDH within the discs was under genetic control. The patterns reflected the state of determination of the disc. When the presumptive tissue type was transformed via mutant homoeotic genes to different determinative states, the ICDH pattern likewise transformed to the pattern characteristic of the newly acquired structure.