Genetic and molecular analysis of the autosomal component of the primary sex determination signal of Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics
D A Barbash, T W Cline

Abstract

Drosophila sex is determined by the action of the X:A chromosome balance on transcription of Sex-lethal (Sxl), a feminizing switch gene. We obtained loss-of-function mutations in denominator elements of the X:A signal by selecting for dominant suppressors of a female-specific lethal mutation in the numerator element, sisterlessA (sisA). Ten suppressors were recovered in this extensive genome-wide selection. All were mutations in deadpan (dpn), a pleiotropic locus previously discovered to be a denominator element. Detailed genetic and molecular characterization is presented of this diverse set of new dpn alleles including their effects on Sxl. Although selected only for impairment of sex-specific functions, all were also impaired in nonsex-specific functions. Male-lethal effects were anticipated for mutations in a major denominator element, but we found that viability of males lacking dpn function was reduced no more than 50% relative to their dpn- sisters. Moreover, loss of dpn activity in males caused only a modest derepression of the Sxl "establishment" promoter (Sxlpe), the X:A target. By itself, dpn cannot account for the masculinizing effect of increased autosomal ploidy, the effect that gave rise to the concept of the X:A...Continue Reading

Citations

May 28, 2020·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·Sharvani MahadeverajuJames W Erickson
Apr 21, 2006·Development·John R ten BoschThomas W Cline
Nov 13, 2004·Journal of Genetics·Anuranjan Anand
Feb 1, 1996·Current Biology : CB·B Charlesworth
Jan 20, 1999·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·H Zhang, M Levine
Feb 18, 1999·Molecular and Cellular Biology·G JiménezD Ish-Horowicz
Dec 10, 1999·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·T W ClineR Vutien
Dec 30, 1999·Nature Genetics·J JensenO D Madsen
Apr 14, 2011·Development·Kevin C BarrySusan M Parkhurst
Nov 18, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Alejandra N GonzálezJames W Erickson
Apr 13, 2010·Current Opinion in Genetics & Development·Barbara J Meyer
Jun 26, 2013·Cell·Sha SunJeannie T Lee
May 15, 2013·Genes & Development·Behnom FarboudBarbara J Meyer

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