Truncated RanGAP encoded by the Segregation Distorter locus of Drosophila

Science. 1999 Mar 12;283(5408):1742-5. doi: 10.1126/science.283.5408.1742.

Abstract

Segregation Distorter (SD) in Drosophila melanogaster is a naturally occurring meiotic drive system in which the SD chromosome is transmitted from SD/SD+ males in vast excess over its homolog owing to the induced dysfunction of SD+-bearing spermatids. The Sd locus is the key distorting gene responsible for this phenotype. A genomic fragment from the Sd region conferred full distorting activity when introduced into the appropriate genetic background by germline transformation. The only functional product encoded by this fragment is a truncated version of the RanGAP nuclear transport protein. These results demonstrate that this mutant RanGAP is the functional Sd product.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology
  • Female
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins*
  • Gene Duplication
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Insect*
  • Male
  • Meiosis*
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Spermatids / physiology
  • Sulfotransferases / chemistry
  • Sulfotransferases / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transformation, Genetic

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RanGAP protein, Drosophila
  • Sulfotransferases
  • heparan-sulfate 2-sulfotransferase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF143860