Further evidence consistent with Stellate’s involvement in meiotic drive
Further evidence consistent with Stellate’s involvement in meiotic drive
Tags: Gene drive mechanisms, Other arthropods, Transmission distortionHurst, LD, Genetics, 142:641-643. 1996.
STELLATE is an X-linked multicopy gene found in Drosophila melanogaster and is one of the most bizarre gene arrays yet described (for details see HARDY et al. 1984; LIVAK 1984, 1990; DANILEVSKAYA et al. 1991; BAW~REVA et al. 1992; SHEVELYOV 1992; PALUMBO et al. 1994). The activity of Stellate is restricted to spermatogenesis. However, the transcription and translation of Stellate is inhibited in most males by a Y-linked multicopy gene, Suppressor of Stellate (Su(Ste)) alias crystal (q) . If Stellate is not suppressed, then the protein product (homologous to the beta subunit of casein kinase 11) is produced at levels dependent upon the copy number of Stellate. If Stellate copy number is relatively low, then linear crystals form and the males are of reduced, but nonzero, fertility. In high copy number (up to 200), however, the protein forms a star-shaped crystal in sperm, and the males are typically sterile. An understanding of this system is hence potentially of importance for the study of both intra- and inter-specific sterility and hence of HALDANE’S Rule
