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The actin loci in the genus Drosophila: establishment of chromosomal homologies among distantly related species by in situ hybridization

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Abstract

We have mapped by in situ hybridization the actin genes in selected, distantly related Drosophila species, using the 5C actin gene of D. melanogaster as a probe. In all species six dispersed actin loci were observed, probably corresponding to six genes, and they were similarly distributed among the chromosomes. In conjunction with previously available genetic and cytogenetic evidence, this consistent pattern of actin gene distribution reinforces the hypothesis that the chromosomal elements have maintained their essential identities throughout Drosophila evolution, and permits identification of these elements in very diverse species. Conservation of the actin loci also offers fixed points for the analysis of chromosomal inversions and other rearrangements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Michael Loukas & Fotis C. Kafatos

  2. Department of Genetics, Agricultural College of Athens, Iera odos 75, 11855, Votanicos, Athens, Greece

    Michael Loukas

  3. Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Department of Biology, University of Crete, 71110, Heraklio, Crete, Greece

    Fotis C. Kafatos

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  1. Michael Loukas
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  2. Fotis C. Kafatos
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Loukas, M., Kafatos, F.C. The actin loci in the genus Drosophila: establishment of chromosomal homologies among distantly related species by in situ hybridization. Chromosoma 94, 297–308 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290860

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290860

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