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Mutation in a heterochromatin-specific chromosomal protein is associated with suppression of position-effect variegation in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: We report here that a point mutation in the gene which encodes the heterochromatin-specific nonhistone chromosomal protein HP-1 in Drosophila melanogaster is associated with dominant suppression of position-effect variegation. The mutation, a G-to-A transition at the first nucleotide of the last intron, causes missplicing of the HP-1 mRNA. This suggests that heterochromatin-specific proteins play a central role in the gene suppression associated with heterochromatic position effects.

SUBMITTER: Eissenberg JC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC55286 | biostudies-other | 1990 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Mutation in a heterochromatin-specific chromosomal protein is associated with suppression of position-effect variegation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Eissenberg J C JC James T C TC Foster-Hartnett D M DM Hartnett T T Ngan V V Elgin S C SC

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 19901201 24

We report here that a point mutation in the gene which encodes the heterochromatin-specific nonhistone chromosomal protein HP-1 in Drosophila melanogaster is associated with dominant suppression of position-effect variegation. The mutation, a G-to-A transition at the first nucleotide of the last intron, causes missplicing of the HP-1 mRNA. This suggests that heterochromatin-specific proteins play a central role in the gene suppression associated with heterochromatic position effects. ...[more]

PMID: 2124708

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