Overexpression Beadex mutations and loss-of-function heldup-a mutations in Drosophila affect the 3' regulatory and coding components, respectively, of the Dlmo gene.

LIM domains function as bridging modules between different members of multiprotein complexes. We report the cloning of a LIM-containing gene from Drosophila, termed Dlmo, which is highly homologous to the vertebrate LIM-only (LMO) genes. The 3' untranslated (UTR) of Dlmo contains multiple motifs implicated in negative post-transcriptional regulation, including AT-rich elements and Brd-like boxes.

Genetic and molecular studies of apterous: a gene implicated in the juvenile hormone system of Drosophila.

The apterous (ap) gene in Drosophila melanogaster encodes a homeodomain transcription factor. It is required for the development of the wings and of a subset of embryonic muscles. The gene has been implicated in the juvenile hormone (JH) system because mutations in ap lead to JH deficiency, and are associated with defective histolysis of the larval fat body, arrested vitellogenesis, sterility, and aberrant sexual behavior, all of which are dependent on JH.

Male sexual signaling is defective in mutants of the apterous gene of Drosophila melanogaster.

The apterous (ap) gene of Drosophila melanogaster exhibits extreme pleiotrophy: its functioning is essential for life, normal wing structure, juvenile hormone production, female fertility, and normal development of female sexual receptivity. Four mutant ap alleles (ap4, ap56f, apc, and apblt) were characterized for three additional phenotypes: male mating success, courtship behavior, and immature male sex appeal (the ability of males to stimulate homosexual courtship). Mating success with mature wild-type virgin females is reduced in males mutant for the ap gene, the extreme case being ap4/ap4 males, which are behaviorally sterile.

Female sexual receptivity is defective in juvenile hormone-deficient mutants of the apterous gene of Drosophila melanogaster.

During reproductive maturation of female insects, the acquisition of sexual receptivity is coordinated with ovarian development. Juvenile hormone regulates vitellogenesis in the ovaries, but the action of this hormone in the development of sexual behavior is less well-understood. A strain of Drosophila melanogaster carrying a mutation in the apterous gene (ap4) was known to exhibit arrested vitellogenesis (rescuable by applying exogenous juvenile hormone), sterility of both sexes, and a deficiency of juvenile hormone.

Genetic transfer in Halobacterium volcanii.

Auxotrophic mutants of Halobacterium volcanii generated by chemical mutagenesis were used to demonstrate a native genetic transfer system in this extremely halophilic member of the class Archaeobacteria.

Mutational analysis of natural alleles in and affecting the B incompatibility factor of Schizophyllum.

Primary mutations in the alleles of alpha 1 and beta 7 of the B incompatibility factor of Schizophyllum were induced with X rays. An additional mutation unlinked to the B factor and affecting its regulatory function was detected. This mutation is effective in monokaryons with most B-factor specificities.

Selection with cycloheximide of metabolic and UV-sensitive mutants of Schizophyllum commune and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The difference in lethality to cycloheximide between actively dividing and non-dividing cells was exploited to enhance detection of auxotrophic and UV-sensitive mutants in the fungi Schizophyllum commune and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.