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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, G
The 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 Evolution

Volume

207

Issue

7

Pagination

462-470

ISSN

0949-944X

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Springer

Place of publication

New York

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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