A Germline Clone Screen on the X Chromosome Reveals Novel Meiotic Mutants in Drosophila melanogaster

作者:Collins Kimberly A; Callicoat Jonathon G; Lake Cathleen M; McClurken Cailey M; Kohl Kathryn P; Hawley R Scott*
来源:Genes Genomes Genetics, 2012, 2(11): 1369-1377.
DOI:10.1534/g3.112.003723

摘要

In an effort to isolate novel meiotic mutants that are severely defective in chromosome segregation and/or exchange, we employed a germline clone screen of the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. We screened over 120,000 EMS-mutagenized chromosomes and isolated 19 mutants, which comprised nine complementation groups. Four of these complementation groups mapped to known meiotic genes, including mei-217, mei-218, mei-9, and nod. Importantly, we have identified two novel complementation groups with strong meiotic phenotypes, as assayed by X chromosome nondisjunction. One complementation group is defined by three alleles, and the second novel complementation group is defined by a single allele. All 19 mutants are homozygous viable, fertile, and fully recessive. Of the 9 mutants that have been molecularly characterized, 5 are canonical EMS-induced transitions, and the remaining 4 are transversions. In sum, we have identified two new genes that are defined by novel meiotic mutants, in addition to isolating new alleles of mei-217, mei-218, mei-9, and nod.