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Differential sex chromosome replication and dosage compensation in polytene trichogen cells of Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Non banded sex chromosome elements have been identified in polytene trichogen cells of Lucilia cuprina using Y-autosome translocations, C-banding and Quinacrine fluorescence. The X chromosome is an irregular granular structure while the much smaller Y chromosome has both a dense darkly stained and a loosely organised segment. The X and Y chromosomes are under-replicated in polytene cells but comparison of C- and Q-banding characteristics of sex chromosomes in diploid and polytene tissues indicates that selective replication of non C-banding material occurs in both the sex chromosomes. Brightly fluorescing material in the Y chromosome is replicated to such an extent that it consists of half the polytene element, while the C-banding material, which makes up most of the diploid X chromosome, is virtually unreplicated. Differential replication also occurs in autosomes. In XXY males, and in males carrying a duplication of the X euchromatic region, a short uniquely banded polytene chromosome is formed. It is suggested that in males carrying two doses of X euchromatin a dosage compensation mechanism operates in which genes in one copy are silenced by forming a banded polytene chromosome.

Alleles↗

Molecular characterization of an 18 kb segment of DNA puff C4 of Bradysia hygida (Diptera, sciaridae).

The data presented here are an extension of the molecular characterization of DNA puff C4 of Bradysia hygida. A cDNA related to a gene amplified in this puff and expressed when puff C4 expands was cloned and sequenced. Analysis of the amino acid sequence deduced from the open reading frame present in the cDNA indicate that the encoded protein is secreted and comprises mostly alpha-helical coiled-coil. An 18 kb genomic segment containing the transcription unit of this gene was also cloned and the structure and expression of the 1.4 kb mRNA was determined. Quantitative slot blot hybridization of DNA complementary to the transcription unit shows that this gene is amplified about 21 times in the salivary gland, confirming data previously obtained. Fragments upstream of the 5' end, and beyond the 3' end, of the gene transcription unit were also analysed and shown to be amplified at least eight and five times, respectively. Based on these data we discuss how amplification could occur at DNA puffs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polytene chromosomes of monogenic and amphogenic Chrysomya species (Calliphoridae, Diptera): analysis of banding patterns and in situ hybridization with Drosophila sex determining gene sequences.

Standard maps for the five banded polytene chromosomes found in trichogen cell nuclei of the monogenic blowfly Chrysomya rufifacies and the amphogenic Chrysomya pinguis are presented. The chromosomes are highly homologous in the two species; differences in banding patterns are predominantly caused by one pericentric and ten paracentric inversions. In chromosome 5 of the amphogenic Chrysomya phaonis, also analysed in this paper, an additional paracentric inversion was observed. The distribution of species specific inversions indicates that the monogenic C. rufifacies is phylogenetically older than the amphogenic species. The maternal sex realizer locus F'/f on polytene chromosome 5 of C. rufifacies is not associated with a structural heterozygosity. Chromosome pair 6 of C. rufifacies and the sex chromosome pair of C. pinguis are under-replicated in polytene nuclei; they consist of irregular chromatin granules, frequently associated with nucleolus material. Evolution of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in Chrysomya is probably correlated with heterochromatin accumulation. A search for sex determining genes in Chrysomya was initiated using sex determining sequences from Drosophila melanogaster for in situ hybridization. The polytene band 41A1 on chromosome 5 of monogenic and amphogenic Chrysomya species contains sequences homologous to the maternal sex determining gene daughterless (da). Homology to the zygotic gene Sex-lethal (Sxl) of Drosophila is detected in band 39A1 on chromosome 5 of C. rufifacies. The findings reported here are the first evidence for a possible homology between the da gene of Drosophila and the maternal sex realizer F' of C. rufifacies. An hypothesis for the evolution of the maternal effect sex determination of C. rufifacies is proposed.

Animals↗

[Cultivation of the warble-fly Oestromyia leporina pall. (Diptera, Hypodermatidae) and its biological prerequisites (author's transl)].

The warble-fly Oestromyia leporina was cultivated for four generations in the laboratory. In the present paper the technic of laboratory mating and the modus of experimental infection of the host are described. The fertility of females is tested by experiments and by dissections. It is shown how the diapause of the puparia can be shortened and how it can be omitted. The successful infection of several species of small mammals demonstrates that O. leporina can be colonized not only on the natural host but also on some common laboratory animals like mice and rats.

Animals↗

[The biology of the warble-fly oestromyia leporina Pallas 1778 (Diptera, Hypodermatidae), a parasite of the field-mouse Microtus arvalis Pall (author's transl)].

The present paper deals with the discovery of the warble-fly Oestromyia leporina in the surrounding of Giessen. The behaviour of the flies in the field is described; in particular the behaviour of both sexes before and during mating and of the female during the oviposition period is described for the first time. The relations between host and parasite are explained as well as the development from third-instar larvae into the puparaium and then into the imago. By further experiments it is attempted to find out the factors causing the long time of ten months' quiescence in the puparium. The range of hosts is tested by natural and experimental infections' furthermore it is discussed if the present findings can be applied to other populations of the same warble-flies in far-off regions.

Animals↗

Genetical and biochemical comparisons of alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes from Anastrepha fraterculus and A. obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae): evidence for gene duplication.

The electrophoretic patterns of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Anastrepha fraterculus and A. obliqua were studied. Two loci were found to code for the enzyme in A. fraterculus, and three in A. obliqua. In both species, all isozymes were active in third-instar larvae. A cationic isozyme (Adh-1) was active mainly in the visceral fat body of both species. In A. fraterculus, the locus had an anionic polymorphic isozyme (Adh-3) that was detected in the parietal fat body. In addition to these two loci, a third locus for an anionic isozyme (Adh-2), which was active in the digestive tube of larvae, was present in A. obliqua and probably resulted from gene duplication. For both species, multiple forms of the isozymes are formed by binding of an NAD-carbonyl compound, as in Drosophila melanogaster. Both larvae and early pupae of A. obliqua had almost twice the specific ADH activity as A. fraterculus. The ethanol content of the host fruit infested with A. obliqua (red "mombim") was also higher than that of the host fruit infested with A. fraterculus (guava).

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

DNA puff C4 of Bradysia hygida (Diptera: Sciaridae) contains genes unequally amplified and differentially expressed during development.

We report here the isolation and characterization of a 2.3 kb genomic EcoRI fragment that co-localizes in the DNA puff C4 of Bradysia hygida with a 4 kb EcoRI fragment previously characterized as containing part of a gene amplified and expressed in the salivary gland at the time when puff C4 expands. Verification of the relative amount of DNA complementary to these two genomic fragments shows that they are unequally amplified in the salivary gland. The fragment containing part of the gene expressed when puff C4 expands amplifies about eight times more than the 2.3 kb fragment. This 2.3 kb fragment also carries sequences complementary to RNA species present in the gland in a period when puff C4 has already receded. Based on these data we discuss the nature of the DNA puff and the possible way in which amplification is occurring at these sites.

Animals↗

The sex-determining region of the Megaselia scalaris (Diptera) Y chromosome.

In Megaselia scalaris (Loew) the presence or absence of a male-determining factor, M, is responsible for sex determination. In two wild-type strains, M is located on the homomorphic chromosome pair 2. In the laboratory line Except42 a new Y chromosome was created by recombination between the original Y and the original X chromosome. The Except42 Y chromosome has conserved the sex-determining function and four molecular markers of the original Y chromosome, while 13 original Y markers have been lost. The new Y chromosome, therefore, consists of roughly one-quarter of the original Y chromosome and three-quarters of the original X chromosome. To define the sex-determining region, cosmid clones, one from the original X and one from the original Y chromosome region of the Except42 Y chromosome, were isolated and used as probes for chromosomal in situ suppression (CISS) hybridization. The CISS hybridization signals map the conserved Y segment, including the male-determining factor, to the distal segment of the short arm of the Y chromosome.

Animals↗

Lipoptena cervi (Diptera), a potential vector of Megatrypanum trypanosomes of deer (Cervidae).

In three different areas in northern Germany, hippoboscids were collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Typanosomatids were demonstrated in the midgut and hindgut of 9/37 Lipoptena cervi. The trypanosomatids were morphologically similar to vector forms of the subgenus Megatrypanum that had been found in tabanids at the same location 5 years previously. Hippoboscids are therefore potential vectors of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) spp. that infect red deer.

Animals↗

[Histological reactions of the host induced by the larvae of the warble-fly Oestromyia leporina Pall. (Diptera, Hypodermatidae) (author's transl)].

The histological reactions of Mastomys natalensis induced by the larvae of Oestromyia leporina are described from the start of the infection to the complete healing of the evacuated cyst. Against the migrating larva no cellular reactions take place. After the larva settles, the most obvious feature is a non-suppurative inflammation of the surrounding tissue, while a layer of granulation tissue, infiltrated with eosinophils, is built up around the parasite. About 13 days p.i. the number of eosinophils starts to decrease again. No giant cells are present; plasmocytes and lymphocytes are relatively scarce. A few days before the parasite leaves the host, the inner surface of the warble is infiltrated with masses of neutrophils, obviously caused by secondary invasion of bacteria through the warble opening. After the parasite leaves the host, the repair of the tissue takes place within three weeks. The remaining scar tissue contains cells carrying haemosiderin, which disappears entirely about two months later.

Animals↗

Toxicity of four common pollutants to the freshwater macroinvertebrates Chironomus riparius Meigen (Insecta:Diptera) and Gammarus pulex (L.) (Crustacea: Amphipoda).

The lethal toxicities of the four pollutants 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA), atrazine, copper, and lindane were determined for the 2nd larval instar of the insect Chironomus riparius Meigen and the juvenile stage (2nd or 3rd moult) of the crustacean Gammarus pulex (L.). Median lethal concentrations (LC50s) were determined over a 240 h test period. The order of toxicity of the test chemicals is different for each species. For C. riparius, lindane was the most toxic, followed by copper, DCA, and atrazine. During the first 96 h of exposure, the order for G. pulex was copper, lindane, then DCA and atrazine with similar LC50 values. However, at 240 h lindane replaced copper as the most toxic chemical to G. pulex. The relative sensitivity of the two species was dependent on both the toxicant and the exposure period. The lethal concentrations determined for the four chemicals are compared to the results of other toxicity studies and discussed with respect to current standard test methods.

Aniline Compounds↗