Genetic analysis of "transvection" effects involving contrabithorax mutations in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Contrabithorax (Cbx) alleles are dominant mutations in the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) gene of Drosophila that cause its ectopic expression in the mesothorax. We have studied the role of the homologous chromosome in the mesothoracic phenotype in several Cbx heterozygotes. None of the Cbx alleles studied shows variations in phenotype with extra doses of the Ubx gene. Only Cbx2 and CbxIRM (a revertant of Cbx1) show synapsis-dependent gene expression ("transvection"). The mesothoracic phenotypes of CbxIRM and Cbx2 heterozygotes are strongly modified when the homologous chromosome carries breakpoints proximal to or at the Ubx locus or null alleles of this gene. These lesions in the homologous chromosome enhance the Cbx2 mutant phenotype and reduce that of CbxIRM one. The genetic analysis of these transvection effects suggests that the transcription of the CbxIRM and Cbx2 alleles depends on RNAs of short radius of action from the homologous Ubx gene.