TY - JOUR
T1 - Mutational analysis of the Drosophila miniature-dusky (m-dy) locus
T2 - Effects on cell size and circadian rhythms
AU - Newby, L. M.
AU - White, L.
AU - DiBartolomeis, S. M.
AU - Walker, B. J.
AU - Dowse, H. B.
AU - Ringo, J. M.
AU - Khuda, N.
AU - Jackson, F. R.
PY - 1991
Y1 - 1991
N2 - A mutational analysis has been performed to explore the function of the Drosophila melanogaster miniature-dusky (m-dy) locus. Mutations at this locus affect wing development, fertility and behavior. The genetic characterization of 13 different mutations suggest that m and dy variants are alleles of a single complex gene. All of these mutations alter wing size, apparently by reducing the volume of individual epidermal cells of the developing wing. In m mutants, epidermal cell boundaries persist in the mature wing, whereas they normally degenerate 1-2 hr after eclosion in wild-type or dy flies. This has permitted the direct visualization of cell size differences among several m mutants. Mutations at the m-dy locus also affect behavioral processes. Three out of nine dy alleles (dy(n1), dy(n3) and dy(n4)) lengthen the circadian period of the activity and eclosion rhythms by approximately 1.5 hr. In contrast, m mutants have normal circadian periods, but an abnormally large percentage of individuals express aperiodic bouts of activity. These behavior genetic studies also indicate that an existing ''rhythm'' mutation known as Andante is an allele of the m-dy locus. The differential effects of certain m-dy mutations on wing and behavioral phenotypes suggest that separable domains of function exist within this locus.
AB - A mutational analysis has been performed to explore the function of the Drosophila melanogaster miniature-dusky (m-dy) locus. Mutations at this locus affect wing development, fertility and behavior. The genetic characterization of 13 different mutations suggest that m and dy variants are alleles of a single complex gene. All of these mutations alter wing size, apparently by reducing the volume of individual epidermal cells of the developing wing. In m mutants, epidermal cell boundaries persist in the mature wing, whereas they normally degenerate 1-2 hr after eclosion in wild-type or dy flies. This has permitted the direct visualization of cell size differences among several m mutants. Mutations at the m-dy locus also affect behavioral processes. Three out of nine dy alleles (dy(n1), dy(n3) and dy(n4)) lengthen the circadian period of the activity and eclosion rhythms by approximately 1.5 hr. In contrast, m mutants have normal circadian periods, but an abnormally large percentage of individuals express aperiodic bouts of activity. These behavior genetic studies also indicate that an existing ''rhythm'' mutation known as Andante is an allele of the m-dy locus. The differential effects of certain m-dy mutations on wing and behavioral phenotypes suggest that separable domains of function exist within this locus.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 1908397
AN - SCOPUS:0025826150
SN - 0016-6731
VL - 128
SP - 571
EP - 582
JO - Genetics
JF - Genetics
IS - 3
ER -