Dosage compensation of x-chromosome activity in interspecific hybrids of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans

We have used the unstable ring X-chromosome of D. melanogaster to generate XX/X0 mosaics in the hybrid progeny from crosses between D. melanogaster females and D. simulans males. The functional properties of the polytene X-chromosome(s) in salivary glands of such X0/XX mosaic hybrid larvae have been...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chromosoma 1981-04, Vol.82 (2), p.229-236
Main Authors: Lakhotia, S C, Mishra, A, Sinha, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alleles
Animals
Biological Evolution
Drosophila - genetics
Drosophila melanogaster - genetics
Female
Genes
Hybridization, Genetic
RNA - biosynthesis
Sex Chromosomes - physiology
Sex Differentiation
Transcription, Genetic
X Chromosome - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We have used the unstable ring X-chromosome of D. melanogaster to generate XX/X0 mosaics in the hybrid progeny from crosses between D. melanogaster females and D. simulans males. The functional properties of the polytene X-chromosome(s) in salivary glands of such X0/XX mosaic hybrid larvae have been analysed by autoradiography after 3H-uridine or 3H-thymidine labelling of the glands. The simulans X-chromosome in the hybrid X0 nuclei displays typical pale staining, enlarged diameter, higher rate of transcription (nearly two times higher than each of the Xs in the XX nuclei in the same gland) and a faster completion of replication as would be the case in the original parental X0 or XY nuclei. In the hybrid XX polytene nuclei, the melanogaster as well as the simulans X functions in the same manner as in female cells of the parents. The nucleolar transcription is also equal in the hybrid XX and X0 nuclei. Thus is seems that despite the evolutionary diversification between these two species, the regulator system which brings about the dosage compensation of X-chromosome activity has been conserved.
ISSN:0009-5915
1432-0886
DOI:10.1007/BF00286107