The underlying bases of gene expression differences in stable transformants of the rosy locus in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

This report represents a continuation of our laboratory's effort to understand the major phenomena associated with P-M dysgenesis-mediated transformation in Drosophila. A group of stable transformants are characterized with respect to rosy gene expression. Stable, true-breeding, line-specific variants in gene expression are described. These are shown to be associated with single transposons present in each line, and the lines are free of functional P elements. The effects on expression are cis-acting, and there are no identifiable rosy DNA sequence lesions associated with these transposons. Evidence is presented that demonstrates that two features of the transformation experimental system are responsible for such variation. The first relates to the fact that the transposons insert at numerous genomic sites. Both heterochromatic and euchromatic position effects are characterized. The second relates to the fact that transformation involves dysgenic mobilization of a P-element transposon. This process is mutagenic, and such a mutation is characterized.