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Reverse genetics of Drosophila RNA polymerase II: identification and characterization of RpII140, the genomic locus for the second-largest subunit.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hamilton, BJ; Mortin, MA; Greenleaf, AL
Published in: Genetics
June 1993

We have used a reverse genetics approach to isolate genes encoding two subunits of Drosophila melanogaster RNA polymerase II. RpII18 encodes the 18-kDa subunit and maps cytogenetically to polytene band region 83A. RpII140 encodes the 140-kDa subunit and maps to polytene band region 88A10:B1,2. Focusing on RpII140, we used in situ hybridization to map this gene to a small subinterval defined by the endpoints of a series of deficiencies impinging on the 88A/B region and showed that it does not represent a previously known genetic locus. Two recently defined complementation groups, A5 and Z6, reside in the same subinterval and thus were candidates for the RpII140 locus. Phenotypes of A5 mutants suggested that they affect RNA polymerase II, in that the lethal phase and the interaction with developmental loci such as Ubx resemble those of mutants in the gene for the largest subunit, RpII215. Indeed, we have achieved complete genetic rescue of representative recessive lethal mutations of A5 with a P-element construct containing a 9.1-kb genomic DNA fragment carrying RpII140. Interestingly, the initial construct also rescued lethal alleles in the neighboring complementation group, Z6, revealing that the 9.1-kb insert carries two genes. Deleting coding region sequences of RpII140, however, yielded a transformation vector that failed to rescue A5 alleles but continued to rescue Z6 alleles. These results strongly support the conclusion that the A5 complementation group is equivalent to the genomic RpII140 locus.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Genetics

DOI

ISSN

0016-6731

Publication Date

June 1993

Volume

134

Issue

2

Start / End Page

517 / 529

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transcription, Genetic
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Gene Library
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Blotting, Western
  • Animals
 

Citation

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Hamilton, B. J., Mortin, M. A., & Greenleaf, A. L. (1993). Reverse genetics of Drosophila RNA polymerase II: identification and characterization of RpII140, the genomic locus for the second-largest subunit. Genetics, 134(2), 517–529. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/134.2.517
Hamilton, B. J., M. A. Mortin, and A. L. Greenleaf. “Reverse genetics of Drosophila RNA polymerase II: identification and characterization of RpII140, the genomic locus for the second-largest subunit.Genetics 134, no. 2 (June 1993): 517–29. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/134.2.517.
Hamilton, B. J., et al. “Reverse genetics of Drosophila RNA polymerase II: identification and characterization of RpII140, the genomic locus for the second-largest subunit.Genetics, vol. 134, no. 2, June 1993, pp. 517–29. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/genetics/134.2.517.

Published In

Genetics

DOI

ISSN

0016-6731

Publication Date

June 1993

Volume

134

Issue

2

Start / End Page

517 / 529

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transcription, Genetic
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Gene Library
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Blotting, Western
  • Animals