Misexpression of the white (w) gene triggers male-male courtship in Drosophila

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 92; no. 12; pp. 5525 - 5529
• Main Authors: Zhang, S.D, Odenwald, W.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 06.06.1995; National Acad Sciences; National Academy of Sciences
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animals; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Bottles; Chromosomes; Courtship; Drosophila; Drosophila - genetics; Drosophila - physiology; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila Proteins; Eye Proteins; Female; gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes; Genes, Insect; Genetic vectors; Genetics; homosexual courtship; homosexuals; Human sexual behavior; Insect Hormones - genetics; Male; Male homosexuality; males; Mating behavior; mini-w gene; mutagenesis; Sex chromosomes; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Shock heating; transgenic animals; w gene; white gene
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.92.12.5525

We report here that the general ectopic expression of a tryptophan/guanine transmembrane transporter gene, white (w), induces male-male courtship in Drosophila. Activation of a hsp-70/miniwhite (mini-w) transgene in mature males results in a marked change in their sexual behavior such that they begin to vigorously court other mature males. In transformant populations containing equal numbers of both sexes, most males participate, thus forming male-male courtship chains, circles, and lariats. Mutations that ablate the w transgene function also abolish this inducible behavior. Female sexual behavior does not appear to be altered by ectopic w expression. By contrast, when exposed to an active homosexual courtship environment, non-transformant males alter their behavior and actively participate in the male-male chaining. These findings demonstrate that, in Drosophila, both genetic and environmental factors play a role in male sexual behavior.