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The analog inhibitor, α-methyl dopa, as a screening agent for mutants elevating levels of dopa decarboxylase activity in Drosophila melanogaster

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Summary

Resistance to dietary α-methyl dopa, an inhibitor of Drosophila dopa decarboxylase, was investigated as a possible selective system for mutations elevating the activity of this enzyme. Three strains were examined; one isolated directly by high dopa decarboxylase activity and found subsequently to be resistant, and two selectively screened for resistance. Resistance was localized to the second chromosome in all three strains. One of the selectively screened strains had no detectable effect on dopa decarboxylase, the other was associated with an approximate 40% increase in activity. In both strains with elevated decarboxylase activity the increase was localized to the left arm of the second chromosome while both arms contributed to the increase in resistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

    Allen F. Sherald & Theodore R. F. Wright

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  1. Allen F. Sherald
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  2. Theodore R. F. Wright
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Additional information

Communicated by E. Hadorn

Research supported by National Institutes of Health Grant GM 19242.

Supported by NIH Genetics Training Grant 30752121.

Research submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

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Sherald, A.F., Wright, T.R.F. The analog inhibitor, α-methyl dopa, as a screening agent for mutants elevating levels of dopa decarboxylase activity in Drosophila melanogaster . Molec. Gen. Genet. 133, 25–36 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268674

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268674

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