Researchers have exploited Minute mutations in orderto study the phenotypes associated with recessive lethal mutations (l−) that decrease the rate of cell divisionand thus make only very tiny homozygous mutant clones that are difficult to analyze. Many differentstrains of Drosophila carry dominant loss-of-functionMinute (M) mutations in a variety of genes encodingribosomal protein subunits. The M genes are haploinsufficient; flies with only one wild-type M+ gene copyhave a slower pace of cell division, and thus prolongeddevelopment and subtle morphological abnormalities.To circumvent the tiny clone problem, researchersgenerate GFP-marked homozygous l−/ l− clones thatare also M+/ M+, in flies that are l−/ l+ and M−/ M+.The loss of the Minute mutation only in cells withinthe clone gives the l−/ l− cells a growth advantageover their neighbors, enabling the mutant clone togrow large enough to study. Diagram chromosomesthat could be used to generate such clones
Researchers have exploited Minute mutations in order
to study the
−) that decrease the rate of cell division
and thus make only very tiny homozygous mutant clones that are difficult to analyze. Many different
strains of Drosophila carry dominant loss-of-function
Minute (M) mutations in a variety of genes encoding
ribosomal protein subunits. The M genes are haploinsufficient; flies with only one wild-type M+ gene copy
have a slower pace of cell division, and thus prolonged
development and subtle morphological abnormalities.
To circumvent the tiny clone problem, researchers
generate GFP-marked homozygous l
−/ l
− clones that
are also M+/ M+, in flies that are l
−/ l
+ and M−/ M+.
The loss of the Minute mutation only in cells within
the clone gives the l
−/ l
− cells a growth advantage
over their neighbors, enabling the mutant clone to
grow large enough to study. Diagram chromosomes
that could be used to generate such clones
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps with 1 images
