scholarly journals The effect of novel chromosome position and variable dose on the genetic behavior of the Responder (Rsp) element of the Segregation distorter (SD) system of Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 751-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
T W Lyttle
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Genetic Element ◽  
Chromosome Position ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Sensitive Allele ◽  
Sperm Dysfunction ◽  
Variable Dose

Abstract In the Segregation distorter (SD) system of meiotic drive, a minimum of two trans-acting elements [Sd and E(SD)] act in concert to cause a certain probability of dysfunction for sperm carrying a sensitive allele at the Responder (Rsp) target locus. By employing a number of insertional translocations of autosomal material into the long arm of the Y chromosome, Rsp can be mapped as the most proximal locus in the 2R heterochromatin as defined both by cytology and lethal complementation tests. Several of these insertional translocations result in the transposition of Rsp to the Y chromosome, where its sensitivity remains virtually unaltered. This argues that Rsp is separable from the second chromosome centromere, that its behavior does not depend on its gross chromosomal position, and that meiotic pairing of the chromosomes carrying the various SD elements is not a prerequisite for sperm dysfunction. Several other translocations apparently leave both resulting chromosomes at least partially sensitive to SD action, suggesting that Rsp is a large subdivisible genetic element. This view is compatible with observations published elsewhere that suggest that Rsp is a cytologically large region of highly repetitive AT-rich DNA. The availability of Y-linked copies of Rsp also allows the construction of SD males carrying two independently segregating Rsp alleles; this in turn allows the production of sperm with zero, one or two Rsp copies from the same male. Examination of the relative recovery proportions of progeny arising from these gametes suggests that sperm with two Rsp copies survive at much lower frequencies than would be predicted if each Rsp acted independently in causing sperm dysfunction. Possible explanations for such behavior are discussed.

Linkage and segregation distortion in Drosophila melanogaster

Genome ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 840-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecil B. Sharp ◽  
Arthur J. Hilliker
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Segregation Distortion ◽  
Homologous Chromosome ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Chromosome 2 ◽  
Genetic Elements ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Per Se

Segregation distortion is caused by a group of genetic elements in and near the centric heterochromatin of chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogaster. These elements promote their preferential recovery in heterozygous males by rendering sperm bearing the homologous chromosome dysfunctional. Previous work has shown that numerous Y–autosome translocations are associated with the suppression of the segregation distorter phenotype. The present study examined the effects of translocations between the major autosomes upon the expression of segregation distortion. Autosomal translocations involving either the segregation distorter chromosome or its sensitive homologue had no significant effect upon the expression of segregation distortion. These results argue that linkage arrangement per se may not have a major effect on segregation distortion. The suppression of SD by specific Y–autosomal translocations may be due to the disruption of elements on the Y chromosome that are important for the expression of SD.Key words: segregation distortion, meiotic drive, translocations, Drosophila melanogaster.

scholarly journals Transposition of the Responder element (Rsp) of the Segregation distorter system (SD) to the X chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
E S Walker ◽  
T W Lyttle ◽  
J C Lucchesi
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Drive System ◽  
Potential Utility ◽  
X Chromosomes ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Segregation Distorter

Abstract In order to test whether the meiotic drive system Segregation distorter (SD) can operate on the X chromosome to exclude it from functional sperm, we have transposed the Responder locus (Rsp) to this element. This was accomplished by inducing detachments of a compound-X chromosome in females carrying a Y chromosome bearing a Rsps allele. Six Responder-sensitive-bearing X chromosomes, with kappa values ranging from 0.90 to 1.00, were established as permanent lines. Two of these have been characterized more extensively with respect to various parameters affecting meiotic drive. SD males with a Responder-sensitive X chromosome produce almost exclusively male embryos, while those with a Rsp-Y chromosome produce almost exclusively female embryos. This provides a genetic system of great potential utility for the study of early sex-specific differentiation events as it allows the collection of large numbers of embryos of a given sex.

X-4 Translocations and Meiotic Drive in Drosophila melanogaster Males: Role of Sex Chromosome Pairing

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-413
Author(s):  
Bruce McKee
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Pairing ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Chromosome Breakpoint

ABSTRACT Males carrying certain X-4 translocations exhibit strongly skewed sperm recovery ratios. The XP4D half of the translocation disjoins regularly from the Y chromosome and the 4PXD half disjoins regularly from the normal 4. Yet the smaller member of each bivalent is recovered in excess of its pairing partner, apparently due to differential gametic lethality. Chromosome recovery probabilities are multiplicative; the viability of each genotype is the product of the recovery probability of its component chromosomes. Meiotic drive can also be caused by deficiency for X heterochromatin. In(1)sc4Lsc8R males show the same size dependent chromosome recoveries and multiplicative recovery probabilities found in T(1;4)BS males. Meiotic drive in In(1)sc4Lsc8R males has been shown to be due to X-Y pairing failure. Although pairing is regular in the T(X;4) males, the striking phenotypic parallels suggest a common explanation. The experiments described below show that the two phenomena are, in fact, one and the same. X-4 translocations are shown to have the same effect on recovery of independently assorting chromosomes as does In(1)sc4Lsc8R. Addition of pairing sites to the 4PXD half of the translocation eliminates drive. A common explanation—failure of the distal euchromatic portion of the X chromosome to participate in X:Y meiotic pairing—is suggested as the cause for drive. The effect of X chromosome breakpoint on X-4 translocation induced meiotic drive is investigated. It is found that translocations with breakpoints distal to 13C on the salivary map do not cause drive while translocations broken proximal to 13C cause drive. The level of drive is related to the position of the breakpoint—the more proximal the breakpoint the greater the drive.

scholarly journals MULTIPLE MEIOTIC DRIVE SYSTEMS IN THE DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER MALE

Genetics ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-115
Author(s):  
George L Gabor Miklos ◽  
Armon F Yanders ◽  
W J Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Survival Probability ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
The Other ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Two Systems ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Drive Systems

ABSTRACT The behaviour of two "meiotic drive" systems, Segregation-Distorter (SD) and the sex chromosome sc4sc8 has been examined in the same meiocyte. It has been found that the two systems interact in a specific way. When the distorting effects of SD and sc4sc8 are against each other, there is no detectable interaction. Each system is apparently oblivious to the presence of the other, gametes being produced according to independence expectations. However when the affected chromosomes are at the same meiotic pole an interaction occurs; the survival probability of the gamete containing both distorted chromosomal products is increased, rather than being decreased by the combined action of two systems.

scholarly journals Variation in Y Chromosome Segregation in Natural Populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Andrew G Clark
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Adult Offspring ◽  
Functional Variation ◽  
Y Chromosomes ◽  
Geographic Origins

ABSTRACT Functional variation among Y chromosomes in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster was assayed by a segregation study. A total of 36 Y chromosomes was extracted and ten generations of replacement backcrossing yielded stocks with Y chromosomes in two different genetic backgrounds. Eleven of the Y chromosomes were from diverse geographic origins, and the remaining 25 were from locally captured flies. Segregation of sexes in adult offspring was scored for the four possible crosses among the two backgrounds with each Y chromosome. Although the design confounds meiotic drive and effects on viability, statistical partitioning of these effects reveals significant variation among lines in Y chromosome segregation. Results are discussed in regards to models of Y-linked segregation and viability effects, which suggest that Y-linked adaptive polymorphism is unlikely.

scholarly journals DoesStellateCause Meiotic Drive inDrosophila melanogaster?

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 1551-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Belloni ◽  
Patrizia Tritto ◽  
Maria Pia Bozzetti ◽  
Gioacchino Palumbo ◽  
Leonard G Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Active Element ◽  
Meiotic Drive

AbstractDrosophila melanogaster males deficient for the crystal (cry) locus of the Y chromosome that carry between 15 and 60 copies of the X-linked Stellate (Ste) gene are semisterile, have elevated levels of nondisjunction, produce distorted sperm genotype ratios (meiotic drive), and evince hyperactive transcription of Ste in the testes. Ste seems to be the active element in this system, and it has been proposed that the ancestral Ste gene was “selfish” and increased in frequency because it caused meiotic drive. This hypothetical evolutionary history is based on the idea that Ste overexpression, and not the lack of cry, causes the meiotic drive of cry– males. To test whether this is true, we have constructed a Ste-deleted X chromosome and examined the phenotype of Ste–/cry– males. If hyperactivity of Ste were necessary for the transmission defects seen in cry– males, cry– males completely deficient for Ste would be normal. Although it is impossible to construct a completely Ste– genotype, we find that Ste–/cry– males have exactly the same phenotype as Ste+/cry– males. The deletion of all X chromosome Ste copies not only does not eliminate meiotic drive and nondisjunction, but it also does not even reduce them below the levels produced when the X carries 15 copies of Ste.

scholarly journals Distinct spermiogenic phenotypes underlie sperm elimination in the Segregation Distorter meiotic drive system

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. e1009662
Author(s):  
Marion Herbette ◽  
Xiaolu Wei ◽  
Ching-Ho Chang ◽  
Amanda M. Larracuente ◽  
Benjamin Loppin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Satellite Dna ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Drive System ◽  
Sperm Chromatin ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Sperm Nuclei ◽  
Very High

Segregation Distorter (SD) is a male meiotic drive system in Drosophila melanogaster. Males heterozygous for a selfish SD chromosome rarely transmit the homologous SD+ chromosome. It is well established that distortion results from an interaction between Sd, the primary distorting locus on the SD chromosome and its target, a satellite DNA called Rsp, on the SD+ chromosome. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to post-meiotic SD+ sperm elimination remain unclear. Here we show that SD/SD+ males of different genotypes but with similarly strong degrees of distortion have distinct spermiogenic phenotypes. In some genotypes, SD+ spermatids fail to fully incorporate protamines after the removal of histones, and degenerate during the individualization stage of spermiogenesis. In contrast, in other SD/SD+ genotypes, protamine incorporation appears less disturbed, yet spermatid nuclei are abnormally compacted, and mature sperm nuclei are eventually released in the seminal vesicle. Our analyses of different SD+ chromosomes suggest that the severity of the spermiogenic defects associates with the copy number of the Rsp satellite. We propose that when Rsp copy number is very high (> 2000), spermatid nuclear compaction defects reach a threshold that triggers a checkpoint controlling sperm chromatin quality to eliminate abnormal spermatids during individualization.

scholarly journals Examination of a mutable system affecting the components of the segregation distorter meiotic drive system of Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-76
Author(s):  
K G Golic
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Transposable Element ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Segregation Distortion ◽  
Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽  
Meiotic Drive ◽  
Drive System ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Segregation Distorter ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Segregation distortion in Drosophila melanogaster is the result of an interaction between the genetic elements Sd, a Rsp sensitive to Sd, and an array of modifiers, that results in the death of sperm carrying Rsp. A stock (designated M-5; cn bw) has been constructed which has the property of inducing the partial loss of sensitivity from previously sensitive cn bw chromosomes, the partial loss of distorting ability from SD chromosomes, and a concomitant acquisition of modifiers on the X chromosome and possibly also on the autosomes. By several criteria the changes exhibited under the influence of M-5; cn bw are characteristic of the transposable-element systems which produce hybrid dysgenesis. In the first place, the magnitude of these effects depends on the nature of the crosses performed. The analogy is further strengthened by the observation that the changes induced by M-5; cn bw share other stigmata of Drosophila transposable-element systems, including high sterility among the progeny of outcrosses, and the production of chromosomal rearrangements. The possible relationship of this system to the P, I and hobo transposable element systems is discussed, as well as its bearing on aspects of the Segregation Distorter phenomenon which have yet to be explained.

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