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Naturally occurring genetic variation affects Drosophila photoreceptor determination
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 23:59 authored by Polaczyk, P, Robert GasperiniRobert Gasperini, Gibson, GThe signal transduction pathway controlling determination of the identity of the R7 photoreceptor in the Drosophila eye is shown to harbor high levels of naturally occurring genetic variation. The number of ectopic R7 cells induced by the dosage-sensitive Sev(S11.1) transgene that encodes a mildly activated form of the Sevenless tyrosine kinase receptor is highly sensitive to the wild-type genetic background. Phenotypes range from complete suppression to massive overproduction of photoreceptors that exceeds reported effects of known single gene modifiers, and are to some extent sex-dependent. Signaling from the dominant gain-of-function Drosophila Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (DER-Ellipse) mutations is also sensitive to the genetic backgrounds, but there is no correlation with the effects on Sev(S11.1). This implies that different genes and/or alleles modify the two activated receptor genotypes. The evolutionary significance of the existence of high levels of genetic variation in the absence of normal phenotypic variation is discussed.
History
Publication title
Development Genes and EvolutionVolume
207Issue
7Pagination
462-470ISSN
0949-944XDepartment/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
SpringerPlace of publication
New YorkRepository Status
- Restricted