Abstract
It is shown that the gene controlling the synthesis of the organ-specific S-esterase of Drosophila virilis ejaculatory bulbs is located on the second chromosome (at approximate position 192.1±map units). The cells of the genital imaginal disks are determined for the synthesis of S-esterase 10–12 hr after the second molt. The organ-specific esterase can be detected after adult emergence only. It is preceded by an increase in RNA content and by enhancement of RNA synthesis in the cells of the ejaculatory bulbs. Interstock differences were found in the level of the activity of S-esterase, which is under the control of the X chromosome, as well as in the time of expression of enzyme activity, which is controlled by the fifth chromosome. It is suggested that the specific phenotypic expression of this enzyme depends on the system of genes with regulatory expression at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. The genetic control of the synthesis of the S-esterase described is a convenient model for studying mechanisms of gene activity regulation in eukaryotes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anisimov, A., Kuznetzov, V., Tutchina, N., and Schwartzman, P. (1974). The analysis of the different types of chromosomal aberrations. In Chemical Mutagenesis. Leningrad Ped. Inst., Leningrad, p. 38 (in Russian).
Chovnick, A., Gelbart, W., and McCarron, M. (1977). Organization of the rosy locus in Drosophila melanogaster. Cell 111.
Daneholt, B., Edström, J. E., Egyhazi, E., Lambert, B., and Ringborg, U. (1969). Physico-chemical properties of chromosomal RNA in Chironomus tentans polytene chromosomes. Chromosoma 28379.
Devenyi, T., and Gergely, J. (1974). Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Dickinson, W. (1975). A genetic locus affecting the developmental expression of an enzyme in D. melanogaster. Dev. Biol. 42131.
Georgiev, G. (1968). The methods of determination, extraction and fractionation of nucleic acids. In Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids Medicina, Leningrad, p. 95 (in Russian).
Glassman, E. (1965). Genetic regulation of xanthine dehydrogenase in D. melanogaster. Fed. Proc. 241342.
Johnson, F., and Bealle, S. (1969). Isozyme variability in species of the genus Drosophila. 5. Ejaculatory bulb esterases in Drosophila phylogeny. Biochem. Genet. 21.
Kabot, E., and Mayer, M. (1968). Experimental Immunochemistry Medicina, Moscow (in Russian).
Korochkin, L. (1976). Developmental Genetics Nauka, Moscow (in Russian).
Korochkin, L., Matveeva, N., Evgeniev, M., and Golubovsky, M. (1973). Genetics of esterases in Drosophila of the virilis group. I. Characteristics of esterase patterns in D. virilis, D. texana, D. littoralis and their hybrids. Biochem. Genet. 10363.
Korochkin, L., Aronshtam, A., and Matveeva, N. (1974). Genetics of esterases in Drosophila. III. Influence of different chromosomes on esterase pattern in Drosophila. Biochem. Genet. 129.
Korochkin, L., Belayeva, E., Matveeva, N., Kuzin, B., and Serov, O. (1976). Genetics of esterases in Drosophila. IV. Slow-migrating esterase in Drosophila of the virilis group. Biochem. Genet. 14161.
Kuzin, B., Aronshtam, A., and Korochkin, L. (1975). The determination of the phenotypical expression of gene Est-6 in genitals of males D. melanogaster. Ontogenez 6232 (in Russian).
Paigen, K., Meisler, M., Felton, J., and Chapman, W. (1976). Genetic determination of the β-galactosidase developmental program in mouse liver. Cell 9533.
Roberts, D. (1971). Antigens of developing D. melanogaster. Nature 233394.
Rollins, J., and Flickinger, R. (1972). Collagen synthesis in Xenopus oocytes after injection of nuclear RNA of frog embryos. Science 1781204.
Semenova, N., Beresina, O., and Suvorov, G. (1974). The comparison of methods of the determination of the radioactivity. Vopr. Virusol. 18628 (in Russian).
Spirin, A. (1958). Spectrophotometric determination of the changes of RNA amount. Biochimia 23656.
Van Asparen, K. (1962). A study of housefly esterase by means of a sensible colorimetric method. J. Insect Physiol. 8401.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Korochkin, L.I., Matveeva, N.M., Kuzin, B.A. et al. Genetics of esterases in Drosophila. VI. Gene system regulating the phenotypic expression of the organ-specific esterase in Drosophila virilis . Biochem Genet 16, 709–726 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00484728
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00484728