Abstract.
The localization of a reverse transcriptase-related protein in salivary gland polytene chromosomes was investigated by immunohistochemistry in two species of Chironomus. The antibodies used were raised against a recombinant protein containing phylogenetically conserved motifs of reverse transcriptases and derived from an abundant non-LTR element previously identified in Chironomus. Immunoreactive protein was found in some telomeres, in a centromeric region, in a few interstitial bands and in Balbiani ring 3. The telomeric signal was probably dependent on transcription and increased dramatically when telomeric heat shock puffs were induced. A correlation with transcription was also seen in Balbiani ring 3, the immunobinding of which disappeared after inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D.
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Received: 11 December 1998 / Accepted: 19 May 1999
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López, C., Rodriguez, E., Díez, J. et al. Histochemical localization of reverse transcriptase in polytene chromosomes of chironomids. Chromosoma 108, 302–307 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004120050381
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004120050381