Molecular organization and expression of the genetic locus glued in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The Glued locus of Drosophila melanogaster is genetically defined as the functional unit which is affected by the dominant Glued mutation Gl. Genomic DNA was cloned from the region of the Glued locus, at 70C2 on chromosome 3, by using a P element insertion in the region as a molecular marker. Three genes encoding polyadenylated transcripts were detected within a 30-kilobase span of the cloned DNA. The gene nearest the P element insertion site was identified as a Glued gene on the basis of alterations in its DNA and encoded transcript associated with the Gl mutation and with reversions of Gl which eliminate the dominant effect by inactivation of the mutant allele. Expression of the wild-type Gl+ gene is temporally regulated during development; the amount of the encoded transcript is highest in the embryonic stage, decreasing in the first and second larval instars, and then increasing in the third instar and pupal stages. There is a maternal contribution of the Gl+ transcript to the embryo, which probably accounts for the maternal lethal effect of Glued mutations on early development. In situ hybridizations of Gl+ DNA to RNA in tissue sections showed that the Gl+ transcript is present in virtually all tissues of the embryo, late larva, and pupa. The general distribution of this transcript is consistent with genetic evidence indicating that the Glued locus controls a generally essential cell function (P. J. Harte and D. R. Kankel, Genetics 101:477-501, 1982). Different Glued mutations produce distinct phenotypic effects, including adults with severe visual defects, larvae lacking imaginal discs, and early lethality. These diverse mutant phenotypes are discussed in terms of quantitative changes in the Glued function. Closely adjacent to Gl+ is another gene which is transcribed in a divergent direction and expressed coordinately with Gl+ throughout Drosophila development. It remains to be determined whether this gene is also involved with the Glued function.