wisertsl: a recessive X-linked temperature-sensitive lethal mutation that affects the wings and the eyes in Drosophila melanogaster

• Published in: Genetica Vol. 135; no. 3
• Main Authors: Mela, Angeliki, Tsitilou, Sonia G., Yannopoulos, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2009
• Subjects: Animal Genetics and Genomics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Evolutionary Biology; Human Genetics; Life Sciences; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Temperature-sensitive lethal mutation
• ISSN: 0016-6707; 1573-6857
• DOI: 10.1007/s10709-008-9281-7

In this study, we characterize a recessive X-linked temperature-sensitive mutation of the gene CG32711 . The mutation, named wiser tsl ( wi ngs s calloped- e yes r ough), was isolated from a dysgenic cross and is due to a natural P element insertion within the 5′ regulatory region of the gene. Mutant ( wiser tsl ) individuals exhibit wing notching, rough eyes, tarsal malformations and reduced life-span. At 29°C they die at larval and late pharate stages or during eclosion. The CG32711 ( wiser ) gene is mainly expressed in the ventral midline cells, the peripheral neural system, the hemocytes and the tracheal system of embryos. It is also expressed in nurse cells of adult female ovaries. Our results show that the wiser gene is alternatively spliced generating two mRNAs, which share the same open reading frame, while western analysis identified two protein isoforms. Their expression pattern depends on the stage of development and the culture temperature. wiser tsl and wild-type individuals display different expression patterns of the two isoforms and this difference most probably accounts for the mutant phenotype. Our results indicate that wiser is a vital gene for the development of Drosophila melanogaster which has no orthologs outside the Drosophilidae.