[Transposition of mobile dispersed genes (MDG) after substitution of various chromosome pairs in inbred Drosophila melanogaster strains]

Abstract

Transpositions of MDG-1, MDG-3 and copia were detected as a result of crosses of the inbred maladaptive LA stock with laboratory stocks, in order to construct the genomes carrying different combinations of the LA or non-La chromosomal pairs. Changes of the mobile gene distributions were revealed in chromosomes of hybrid genotypes, as compared to parental chromosomal pairs. A trivial source of variability of chromosomal molecular structure ensured by crossing over was excluded by inversions which serve as suppressors of crossing over in corresponding crosses. Multiple transpositions of mobile genes in definite chromosomal sites were detected in genotypes carrying chromosomal pair 2 originated from the LA stock. No such transpositions were observed, when the pair 2 was substituted by the chromosome 2 originated from the Swedish-b line or in control crosses, where the LA stock was not involved. Both LA chromosomes 2 and 3 were shown to be the targets of transpositions. Comparison of hot spot transposition sites of MDG-1, as a result of crosses, with the earlier described rare events of spontaneous transpositions in the LA stock, coupled with its fitness increase, revealed that the hot spot sites were shared in both series of experiments. The data obtained show that transpositions of mobile genetic elements may change the genetic and molecular structure of the chromosome involved in crosses, in spite of suppression of crossing over by inversions usually suggested as a tool for keeping chromosomal genetic structure intact.