Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The essential Drosophila melanogaster gene wds (will die slowly) codes for a WD-repeat protein with seven repeats

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Molecular Genetics and Genomics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

We have isolated and characterized the will die slowly (wds) gene of Drosophila melanogaster, formerly known as l(1)zw8 or l(1)3Ad. The gene codes for a 2.0-kb RNA that is transcribed at all stages of development. The RNA has been localized by in situ hybridization to imaginal discs, larval brain, to nurse cells in the ovary, and to spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testis. The putative translation product contains seven WD-repeats and is, therefore, a new member of the family of WD-proteins. Clear homologues of the Drosophila WDS protein exist in three other fully sequenced higher eukaryotes – human, Caenorhabditis elegans and Arabidopsis. A genomic fragment containing the wds transcription unit is able to rescue two different lethal wds alleles, thus proving that we have indeed isolated the wds gene.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Genetik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany, , , , ,

    M. Hollmann,  E. Simmerl &  U. Schäfer

  2. III. Zoologisches Institut-Entwicklungsbiologie, Universität Göttingen, Humboldtallee 34A, 37073 Göttingen, Germany, , , , ,

    M. Schäfer

Authors
  1. M. Hollmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Simmerl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. U. Schäfer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Schäfer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Electronic Publication

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hollmann, .M., Simmerl, .E., Schäfer, .U. et al. The essential Drosophila melanogaster gene wds (will die slowly) codes for a WD-repeat protein with seven repeats. Mol Gen Genomics 268, 425–433 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-002-0768-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-002-0768-0

Search

Navigation