DOCSLIB.ORG

1 Rhabdoviruses in Two Species of Drosophila

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1 Rhabdoviruses in Two Species of Drosophila Genetics: Published Articles Ahead of Print, published on February 21, 2011 as 10.1534/genetics.111.127696 1 Rhabdoviruses in two species of Drosophila: vertical transmission and a recent 2 sweep 3 4 5 Ben Longdon1*, Lena Wilfert2, Darren J Obbard1 and Francis M Jiggins2 6 7 1 Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, 8 University of Edinburgh, 9 Ashworth Labs, 10 Kings Buildings, 11 West Mains Road, 12 Edinburgh, 13 EH9 3JT, 14 UK 15 2 Department of Genetics, 16 University of Cambridge, 17 Cambridge, 18 CB2 3EH, 19 UK 20 21 Running title: Sigma virus transmission and sweep 22 23 24 * [email protected] 25 Phone: +61(0)434935946 26 27 Key words 28 vertical biparental transmission, paternal transmission, maternal transmission, sperm, 29 sigma virus 30 31 Word count Abstract: 252 Word Count text: 6997 32 33 Sequences in this study are deposited in genbank under the following accession 34 numbers: HQ149099 to HQ149304 1 Copyright 2011. 35 Abstract 36 37 Insects are host to a diverse range of vertically transmitted micro-organisms, but while 38 their bacterial symbionts are well-studied, little is known about their vertically 39 transmitted viruses. We have found that two sigma viruses (Rhabdoviridae) recently 40 discovered in Drosophila affinis and Drosophila obscura are both vertically 41 transmitted. As is the case for the sigma virus of Drosophila melanogaster, we find 42 that both males and females can transmit these viruses to their offspring. Males 43 transmit lower viral titres through sperm than females transmit through eggs, and a 44 lower proportion of their offspring become infected. In natural populations of D. 45 obscura in the UK we found that 39% of flies were infected and the viral population 46 shows clear evidence of a recent expansion, with extremely low genetic diversity and 47 a large excess of rare polymorphisms. Using sequence data we estimate that the virus 48 has swept across the UK within the last ~11 years, during which time the viral 49 population size doubled approximately every 9 months. Using simulations based on 50 our lab estimates of transmission rates, we show that the biparental mode of 51 transmission allows the virus to invade and rapidly spread through populations, at 52 rates consistent with those measured in the field. Therefore, as predicted by our 53 simulations, the virus has undergone an extremely rapid and recent increase in 54 population size. In light of this and earlier studies of a related virus in D. 55 melanogaster, we conclude that vertically transmitted rhabdoviruses may be common 56 in insects, and that these host-parasite interactions can be highly dynamic. 57 58 59 Introduction 60 61 Insects have a diverse range of vertically transmitted symbionts (BUCHNER 1965). Of 62 these the best studied are bacteria, which are usually transmitted exclusively by 63 females and have evolved a range of strategies to spread through host populations 64 (such as distorting the sex ratio towards females or providing a metabolic benefit to 65 their hosts (DOUGLAS 1989; HURST et al. 1993)). Far less is known about vertically 66 transmitted viruses in insects. Some viruses are both horizontally and vertically 67 transmitted (BEZIER et al. 2009; MIMS 1981). Other species contain endogenous 68 retroviruses or polydnaviruses which have integrated into the germline and are 2 69 inherited with the host genome (BEZIER et al. 2009; FLEMING and SUMMERS 1991; 70 HEREDIA et al. 2007). However, very few free living and purely vertically transmitted 71 viruses have been described in insects. 72 73 One such virus is the Drosophila melanogaster sigma virus (DMelSV), which infects 74 ~4 % of wild flies (BRUN and PLUS 1980; CARPENTER et al. 2007). DMelSV is a 75 negative-sense RNA virus in the family Rhabdoviridae that is found in the cytoplasm 76 of infected cells. Unlike bacterial symbionts, this virus is transmitted vertically 77 through both sperm and eggs (FLEURIET 1988), so it is able to spread through 78 populations despite being costly to infected flies (FLEURIET 1981; L'HERITIER 1970; 79 SEECOF 1964). The pattern of DMelSV transmission differs between the sexes, with 80 male flies transmitting at a lower rate than females (BRUN and PLUS 1980). 81 Additionally, the transmission rate is reduced when the fly is infected by its father 82 rather than its mother—if a female is infected by her father, her average transmission 83 rate drops from ~100% to a much lower rate (BRUN and PLUS 1980), and if a male is 84 infected by his father, he does not transmit the virus at all. Therefore, the virus cannot 85 be transmitted through males for two successive generations. 86 87 We have recently discovered two new sigma viruses in Drosophila obscura and 88 Drosophila affinis — DObsSV and DAffSV (LONGDON et al. 2010). Along with 89 DMelSV, these viruses form a deep-branching clade in the Rhabdoviridae, which we 90 have suggested be recognised as a new genus. However, important questions about 91 their biology remain unanswered, including whether these new viruses are vertically 92 transmitted. There is some evidence that DAffSV is; Williamson, (1961) found that 93 CO2-sensitivity was vertically transmitted in some lines of D. affinis in a way similar 94 to that seen in DMelSV-infected flies (CO2 paralysis is a symptom of sigma viruses 95 on their hosts (LONGDON et al. 2010)). We also do not know anything about the 96 prevalence, population dynamics or population genetics of these viruses. This paper 97 aims to address these questions by examining the transmission of these viruses in the 98 lab and the dynamics of DObsSV in natural populations. 99 100 Methods 101 102 Vertical transmission of viruses 3 103 104 To test the mode of transmission of these newly discovered viruses, we carried out 105 crosses between infected and uninfected virgin flies. The crosses used infected 106 isofemale lines of Drosophila affinis and Drosophila obscura that were collected from 107 Raleigh, North Carolina (U.S.A) and Essex (UK), respectively, as described in 108 (LONGDON et al. 2010). The crosses began with infected flies that had both an 109 infected mother and father (from a stock that was close to 100% infected). When both 110 parents are infected, it has been shown for DMelSV that the viral type in the offspring 111 is that of the mother (BRUN and PLUS 1980). The uninfected D. affinis isofemale lines 112 were collected from the same location at the same time as the infected lines, and the 113 uninfected D. obscura were isofemale lines collected during the present study (see 114 below). D. affinis were reared on a banana-malt based Drosophila medium (see 115 supplementary materials), whilst D. obscura were reared on a cornmeal medium 116 (LEWIS 1960) with a piece of peeled mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) on the surface. 117 118 To test whether flies were infected with sigma virus, we exposed them to CO2 at 12°C 119 for 15mins, and recorded flies dead or paralysed 30mins later as infected. To confirm 120 that CO2 sensitivity was linked to viral infection, we crossed infected males to 121 uninfected females, carried out the CO2 assay on their offspring, and tested 15 122 paralysed and 15 non paralysed/recovered offspring for sigma virus infection by 123 quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR ) (40 cycles: 950C 15 sec, 600C 1min) on an 124 Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus system using a Power SYBR Green PCR Master- 125 Mix (Applied Biosystems, CA, USA). Three technical replicates were carried out for 126 each sample and primer pair, and samples were run in a blocked design across plates. 127 The amount of virus was standardised to a housekeeping gene RpL32 (Rp49) to 128 account for RNA extraction and reverse transcription efficiencies using the delta delta 129 CT (critical threshold) method. Viral primers were designed to cross gene boundaries 130 so only viral genomes were quantified (rather than mRNA), primer sequences are 131 shown in table S2. RpL32 endogenous control primers also crossed an intron-exon 132 boundary so should not amplify gDNA contamination. 133 134 The following crosses were used to measure vertical transmission (diagram in Figure 135 1A) and to determine whether horizontal transmission occurred. In cross 1, infected 136 females were crossed to uninfected males. Cross 2 took the daughters from cross 1 4 137 and crossed them to uninfected males. In cross 3 infected males were crossed to 138 uninfected females. Cross 4 mated the daughters from cross 3 with uninfected males. 139 Cross 5 mated the sons from cross 3 to uninfected females. Uninfected partners were 140 assayed for infection to determine whether horizontal transmission had occurred. 141 142 For D. affinis, multiple flies were placed in each vial, as the flies appear more likely to 143 lay eggs when maintained at a higher stocking density. In cross 1, one to three females 144 were placed in a vial with two to three males, and allowed to lay eggs. For cross 3, 145 two or three infected males were placed in a vial with one to three uninfected females. 146 For crosses 4 and 5, the cross 3 offspring were placed individually in a vial with one 147 or two uninfected flies of the opposite sex. Once eggs or larvae were visible, the 148 adults were exposed to CO2 to confirm their infection status. In all crosses uninfected 149 partners were assayed for infection to test whether horizontal transmission had 150 occurred. 151 152 For D. obscura, all crosses were carried out with a single pair of flies in each vial.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Evolution, Diversity, and Host Associations of Rhabdoviruses Ben Longdon,1,* Gemma G
    Virus Evolution, 2015, 1(1): vev014 doi: 10.1093/ve/vev014 Research article The evolution, diversity, and host associations of rhabdoviruses Ben Longdon,1,* Gemma G. R. Murray,1 William J. Palmer,1 Jonathan P. Day,1 Darren J Parker,2,3 John J. Welch,1 Darren J. Obbard4 and Francis M. Jiggins1 1 2 Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, School of Biology, University of Downloaded from St Andrews, St Andrews, KY19 9ST, UK, 3Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyva¨skyla¨, Jyva¨skyla¨, Finland and 4Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and Centre for Immunity Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected] http://ve.oxfordjournals.org/ Abstract Metagenomic studies are leading to the discovery of a hidden diversity of RNA viruses. These new viruses are poorly characterized and new approaches are needed predict the host species these viruses pose a risk to. The rhabdoviruses are a diverse family of RNA viruses that includes important pathogens of humans, animals, and plants. We have discovered thirty-two new rhabdoviruses through a combination of our own RNA sequencing of insects and searching public sequence databases. Combining these with previously known sequences we reconstructed the phylogeny of 195 rhabdovirus by guest on December 14, 2015 sequences, and produced the most in depth analysis of the family to date. In most cases we know nothing about the biology of the viruses beyond the host they were identified from, but our dataset provides a powerful phylogenetic approach to predict which are vector-borne viruses and which are specific to vertebrates or arthropods.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Program Book
    PROGRAM BOOK Note that TAGC was cancelled and held online with a different schedule and program. This document serves as a record of the original program designed for the in-person meeting. April 22–26, 2020 Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Metro Washington, DC TABLE OF CONTENTS About the GSA ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Conference Organizers ...........................................................................................................................................4 General Information ...............................................................................................................................................7 Mobile App ....................................................................................................................................................7 Registration, Badges, and Pre-ordered T-shirts .............................................................................................7 Oral Presenters: Speaker Ready Room - Camellia 4.......................................................................................7 Poster Sessions and Exhibits - Prince George’s Exhibition Hall ......................................................................7 GSA Central - Booth 520 ................................................................................................................................8 Internet Access ..............................................................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolutionary Life History of P Transposons: from Horizontal Invaders to Domesticated Neogenes
    Chromosoma (2001) 110:148–158 DOI 10.1007/s004120100144 CHROMOSOMA FOCUS Wilhelm Pinsker · Elisabeth Haring Sylvia Hagemann · Wolfgang J. Miller The evolutionary life history of P transposons: from horizontal invaders to domesticated neogenes Received: 5 February 2001 / In revised form: 15 March 2001 / Accepted: 15 March 2001 / Published online: 3 May 2001 © Springer-Verlag 2001 Abstract P elements, a family of DNA transposons, are uct of their self-propagating lifestyle. One of the most known as aggressive intruders into the hitherto uninfected intensively studied examples is the P element of Dro- gene pool of Drosophila melanogaster. Invading through sophila, a family of DNA transposons that has proved horizontal transmission from an external source they useful not only as a genetic tool (e.g., transposon tag- managed to spread rapidly through natural populations ging, germline transformation vector), but also as a model within a few decades. Owing to their propensity for rapid system for investigating general features of the evolu- propagation within genomes as well as within popula- tionary behavior of mobile DNA (Kidwell 1994). P ele- tions, they are considered as the classic example of self- ments were first discovered as the causative agent of hy- ish DNA, causing havoc in a genomic environment per- brid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster (Kidwell et missive for transpositional activity. Tracing the fate of P al. 1977) and were later characterized as a family of transposons on an evolutionary scale we describe differ- DNA transposons
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera: Drosophilidae) from China
    Zoological Systematics, 40(1): 70–78 (January 2015), DOI: 10.11865/zs.20150107 ORIGINAL ARTICLE A new species of Drosophila obscura species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from China Ji-Min Chen, Jian-Jun Gao* Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bioresources, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China *Corresponding author, E-mail: [email protected] Abstract A new species of the Drosophila obscura species group is described here, namely Drosophila glabra sp. nov. It was recently found from the Maoershan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. The characteristics of the new species are based not only on morphological characters but also on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COII (cytochrome c oxidase subunit II) gene. Key words Genetic distance, morphology, Old World, Oriental Region, Sophophora. 1 Introduction The Drosophila obscura species group is one of the major lineages within the well-known sophophoran radiation recognized by Throckmorton (1975). Studies on the taxonomy, geography, chromosomal evolution, reproductive-isolation, protein polymorphism and phylogeny of this group have greatly promoted the early development of evolutionary genetics (Lakovaara & Saura, 1982). A majority of the currently known species of this group (44 in total) was recorded from the Holarctic temperate zone, with the remainder recorded from varied sites in South America (Lakovaara & Saura, 1982; Head & O’Grady, 2000), as well the Afrotropical (Séguy, 1938; Tsacas et al., 1985) and Oriental Regions (Watabe et al., 1996; Watabe & Sperlich, 1997; Gao et al., 2003, 2009; Table 1). In this paper, we describe a new species of the obscura group found from our recent field survey in Guangxi, China. The definition of the new species is based on morphological characters and DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COII (cytochrome c oxidase subunit II) gene.
    [Show full text]
  • Mechanisms of Speciation
    International Journal of Evolutionary Biology Mechanisms of Speciation Guest Editors: Kyoichi Sawamura, Chau-Ti Ting, Artyom Kopp, and Leonie C. Moyle Mechanisms of Speciation International Journal of Evolutionary Biology Mechanisms of Speciation Guest Editors: Kyoichi Sawamura, Chau-Ti Ting, Artyom Kopp, and Leonie C. Moyle Copyright © 2012 Hindawi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. This is a special issue published in “International Journal of Evolutionary Biology.” All articles are open access articles distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Editorial Board Giacomo Bernardi, USA Kazuho Ikeo, Japan Jeffrey R. Powell, USA Terr y Burke, UK Yoh Iwasa, Japan Hudson Kern Reeve, USA Ignacio Doadrio, Spain Henrik J. Jensen, UK Y. Satta, Japan Simon Easteal, Australia Amitabh Joshi, India Koji Tamura, Japan Santiago F. Elena, Spain Hirohisa Kishino, Japan Yoshio Tateno, Japan Renato Fani, Italy A. Moya, Spain E. N. Trifonov, Israel Dmitry A. Filatov, UK G. Pesole, Italy Eske Willerslev, Denmark F. Gonza’lez-Candelas, Spain I. Popescu, USA Shozo Yokoyama, USA D. Graur, USA David Posada, Spain Contents Mechanisms of Speciation, Kyoichi Sawamura, Chau-Ti Ting, Artyom Kopp, and Leonie C. Moyle Volume 2012, Article ID 820358, 2 pages Cuticular Hydrocarbon Content that Affects Male Mate Preference of Drosophila melanogaster from West Africa, Aya Takahashi, Nao Fujiwara-Tsujii, Ryohei Yamaoka, Masanobu Itoh, Mamiko Ozaki, and Toshiyuki Takano-Shimizu Volume 2012, Article ID 278903, 10 pages Evolutionary Implications of Mechanistic Models of TE-Mediated Hybrid Incompatibility, Dean M. Castillo and Leonie C. Moyle Volume 2012, Article ID 698198, 12 pages DNA Barcoding and Molecular Phylogeny of Drosophila lini and Its Sibling Species, Yi-Feng Li, Shuo-Yang Wen, Kuniko Kawai, Jian-Jun Gao, Yao-Guang Hu, Ryoko Segawa, and Masanori J.
    [Show full text]
  • View of the Invasion of Drosophila Suzukii in Gether with the 5′ UTR (Annotated in Green) Are Compared
    Yan et al. BMC Genetics 2020, 21(Suppl 2):146 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-020-00939-y RESEARCH Open Access Identification and characterization of four Drosophila suzukii cellularization genes and their promoters Ying Yan1,2*, Syeda A. Jaffri1, Jonas Schwirz2, Carl Stein1 and Marc F. Schetelig1,2* Abstract Background: The spotted-wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a widespread invasive pest that causes severe economic damage to fruit crops. The early development of D. suzukii is similar to that of other Drosophilids, but the roles of individual genes must be confirmed experimentally. Cellularization genes coordinate the onset of cell division as soon as the invagination of membranes starts around the nuclei in the syncytial blastoderm. The promoters of these genes have been used in genetic pest-control systems to express transgenes that confer embryonic lethality. Such systems could be helpful in sterile insect technique applications to ensure that sterility (bi-sex embryonic lethality) or sexing (female-specific embryonic lethality) can be achieved during mass rearing. The activity of cellularization gene promoters during embryogenesis controls the timing and dose of the lethal gene product. Results: Here, we report the isolation of the D. suzukii cellularization genes nullo, serendipity-α, bottleneck and slow-as- molasses from a laboratory strain. Conserved motifs were identified by comparing the encoded proteins with orthologs from other Drosophilids. Expression profiling confirmed that all four are zygotic genes that are strongly expressed at the early blastoderm stage. The 5′ flanking regions from these cellularization genes were isolated, incorporated into piggyBac vectors and compared in vitro for the promoter activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Taxonomy of the Order Mononegavirales: Update 2017
    HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Arch Virol Manuscript Author . Author manuscript; Manuscript Author available in PMC 2018 August 01. Published in final edited form as: Arch Virol. 2017 August ; 162(8): 2493–2504. doi:10.1007/s00705-017-3311-7. *Corresponding author: JHK: Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF-Frederick), Division of Clinical Research (DCR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), B-8200 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Phone: +1-301-631-7245; Fax: +1-301-631-7389; [email protected]. $The members of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Bornaviridae Study Group #The members of the ICTV Filoviridae Study Group †The members of the ICTV Mononegavirales Study Group ‡The members of the ICTV Nyamiviridae Study Group ^The members of the ICTV Paramyxoviridae Study Group &The members of the ICTV Rhabdoviridae Study Group ORCIDs: Amarasinghe: orcid.org/0000-0002-0418-9707 Bào: orcid.org/0000-0002-9922-9723 Basler: orcid.org/0000-0003-4195-425X Bejerman: orcid.org/0000-0002-7851-3506 Blasdell: orcid.org/0000-0003-2121-0376 Bochnowski: orcid.org/0000-0002-3247-3991 Briese: orcid.org/0000-0002-4819-8963 Bukreyev: orcid.org/0000-0002-0342-4824 Chandran: orcid.org/0000-0003-0232-7077 Dietzgen: orcid.org/0000-0002-7772-2250 Dolnik: orcid.org/0000-0001-7739-4798 Dye: orcid.org/0000-0002-0883-5016 Easton: orcid.org/0000-0002-2288-3882 Formenty: orcid.org/0000-0002-9482-5411 Fouchier:
    [Show full text]
  • A New Drosophila Spliceosomal Intron Position Is Common in Plants
    A new Drosophila spliceosomal intron position is common in plants Rosa Tarrı´o*†, Francisco Rodrı´guez-Trelles*‡, and Francisco J. Ayala*§ *Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2525; †Misio´n Biolo´gica de Galicia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas,Apartado 28, 36080 Pontevedra, Spain; and ‡Unidad de Medicina Molecular-INGO, Hospital Clı´nicoUniversitario, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago, Spain Contributed by Francisco J. Ayala, April 3, 2003 The 25-year-old debate about the origin of introns between pro- evolutionary scenarios (refs. 2 and 9, but see ref. 6). In addition, ponents of ‘‘introns early’’ and ‘‘introns late’’ has yielded signifi- IL advocates now acknowledge intron sliding as a real evolu- cant advances, yet important questions remain to be ascertained. tionary phenomenon even though it is uncommon (10, 11) and, One question concerns the density of introns in the last common in most cases, implicates just one nucleotide base-pair slide ancestor of the three multicellular kingdoms. Approaches to this (12–14). IL supporters now tend to view spliceosomal introns as issue thus far have relied on counts of the numbers of identical genomic parasites that have been co-opted into many essential intron positions across present-day taxa on the assumption that functions such that few, if any, eukaryotes could survive without the introns at those sites are orthologous. However, dismissing them (2). parallel intron gain for those sites may be unwarranted, because In this emerging scenario, IE upholders claim that the last various factors can potentially constrain the site of intron insertion.
    [Show full text]
  • Patrick Michael O'grady II
    O’Grady 10 June 2019 Patrick Michael O'Grady Cornell University Department of Entomology 2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 [email protected] Education and Postgraduate Training 2000 – 2003 Curatorial Associate, American Museum of Natural History 1998 – 2000 Kalbfliesch Fellow, American Museum of Natural History 1993 – 1998 University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, Ph.D., Genetics 1989 – 1993 Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, B.S., Biology Academic Positions 2017 – Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell University 2011 – 2017 Associate Professor & Biodiversity Scientist, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley 2006 – 2011 Assistant Professor & Biodiversity Scientist, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley 2003 – 2005 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Vermont Other Positions 2017 – Associate Curator of Diptera, Cornell University Insect Collection 2016 – Director, National Drosophila Species Stock Center 2004 – Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History 2006 – 2017 Curator, Essig Museum of Entomology, UC Berkeley 2006 – 2014 Director, ESPM Environmental Genetics Facility, UC Berkeley 2004 – 2005 Curator, Zaddock Thompson Invertebrate Collection, University of Vermont 1999 – 2006 Visiting Scientist, University of Hawai'i, CCRT Current and Pending Grants 2018 – 2020 Active Learning Across the Tree of Life: Engaged Teaching in Organismal Biology, Cornell University CALS Active Learning Grant, $152,000, Co-PI with CD Specht and K Zamudio 2017 – 2019 RAPID: Transfer of Drosophila Species Stock Center from UCSD to Cornell University, pending 2015 – 2018 CSBR: Living Stocks: San Diego Drosophila Species Stock Center, $500,000, Co-PI 1 O’Grady 10 June 2019 Completed Grants * subcontract or participant 2012 – 2016 Dimensions: Collaborative Research: A community level approach to understanding speciation in Hawaiian lineages, $1,061,370.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetics on the Fly: a Primer on the Drosophila Model System
    GENETICS | PRIMER Genetics on the Fly: A Primer on the Drosophila Model System Karen G. Hales,*,1 Christopher A. Korey,† Amanda M. Larracuente,‡ and David M. Roberts§ *Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson North Carolina 28035, †Biology Department, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina 29424, ‡Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, and §Biology Department, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604 ABSTRACT Fruit flies of the genus Drosophila have been an attractive and effective genetic model organism since Thomas Hunt Morgan and colleagues made seminal discoveries with them a century ago. Work with Drosophila has enabled dramatic advances in cell and developmental biology, neurobiology and behavior, molecular biology, evolutionary and population genetics, and other fields. With more tissue types and observable behaviors than in other short-generation model organisms, and with vast genome data available for many species within the genus, the fly’s tractable complexity will continue to enable exciting opportunities to explore mechanisms of complex developmental programs, behaviors, and broader evolutionary questions. This primer describes the organism’s natural history, the features of sequenced genomes within the genus, the wide range of available genetic tools and online resources, the types of biological questions Drosophila can help address, and historical milestones. KEYWORDS Drosophila; development; comparative genomics; model organism; TABLE OF CONTENTS
    [Show full text]
  • Drosophila Information Service
    Drosophila Information Service Number 92 December 2009 Prepared at the Department of Zoology University of Oklahoma Norman, OK 73019 U.S.A. ii DIS 92 (December 2009) Preface Drosophila Information Service celebrates its 75th birthday with this issue. DIS was first printed in March, 1934. Material contributed by Drosophila workers was arranged by C.B. Bridges and M. Demerec. As noted in its preface, which is reprinted in DIS 75 (1994), Drosophila Information Service was undertaken because, “An appreciable share of credit for the fine accomplishments in Drosophila genetics is due to the broadmindedness of the original Drosophila workers who established the policy of a free exchange of material and information among all actively interested in Drosophila research. This policy has proved to be a great stimulus for the use of Drosophila material in genetic research and is directly responsible for many important contributions.” During the 75 years since that first issue, DIS has continued to promote open communication. The production of DIS volume 92 could not have been completed without the generous efforts of many people. Robbie Stinchcomb, Carol Baylor, and Clay Hallman maintained key records and helped distribute copies and respond to questions. Carol Baylor was also especially helpful in generating pdf copies of early articles in response to many dozens of individual researcher “reprint” requests. Beginning with volume 84 (2001), the official annual publication date is 31 December, with the contents including all submissions accepted during the calendar year. New issues are available for free access on our web page (www.ou.edu/journals/dis) soon after publication, and earlier issues are being archived on this site as resources permit.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of a Transcription Factor: Divergence in DNA Binding Behavior of the Sex-Determination Gene Hermaphrodite in the Genus Drosophila
    The Evolution of a Transcription Factor: Divergence in DNA Binding Behavior of the Sex-Determination Gene hermaphrodite in the Genus Drosophila by Colin Walsh Brown Adissertationsubmittedinpartialsatisfactionofthe requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular and Cell Biology in the GRADUATE DIVISION of the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Committee in charge: Professor Michael B. Eisen, Chair Professor Michael R. Botchan Professor Steven E. Brenner Professor Thomas W. Cline Fall 2010 The Evolution of a Transcription Factor: Divergence in DNA Binding Behavior of the Sex-Determination Gene hermaphrodite in the Genus Drosophila Copyright 2010 by Colin Walsh Brown 1 Abstract The Evolution of a Transcription Factor: Divergence in DNA Binding Behavior of the Sex-Determination Gene hermaphrodite in the Genus Drosophila by Colin Walsh Brown Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular and Cell Biology University of California, Berkeley Professor Michael B. Eisen, Chair Changes in transcriptional regulatory networks are thought to underlie most morphological change observed across taxa, but the general principles of how such networks change and why remain unknown. While many studies have focused on evolutionary changes in cis-acting components of transcriptional networks (enhancers and transcription factor binding sites), changes in the transcription factor proteins which bind these sites have been mostly over- looked. In this thesis I identify the putative Drosophila transcrtiption factor hermaphrodite (her) as having a highly divergent DNA-binding domain, and examine its DNA-binding profile in two fruitfly species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila pseudoobscura .I find evidence for a large-scale divergence in the distribution of HER binding, as well as a possible difference in DNA-binding preference between these two species.
    [Show full text]