An efficient genetic screen in Drosophila to identify nuclear-encoded genes with mitochondrial function

Genetics. 2006 Sep;174(1):525-33. doi: 10.1534/genetics.106.061705. Epub 2006 Jul 18.

Abstract

We conducted a screen for glossy-eye flies that fail to incorporate BrdU in the third larval instar eye disc but exhibit normal neuronal differentiation and isolated 23 complementation groups of mutants. These same phenotypes were previously seen in mutants for cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va. We have molecularly characterized six complementation groups and, surprisingly, each encodes a mitochondrial protein. Therefore, we believe our screen to be an efficient method for identifying genes with mitochondrial function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / genetics
  • Animals
  • Arginine-tRNA Ligase / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Eye / embryology
  • Eye / growth & development
  • Female
  • Genetic Testing / methods*
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Lyases / genetics
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Nitrogenous Group Transferases / genetics

Substances

  • Insect Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase
  • Nitrogenous Group Transferases
  • glutamyl-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase
  • Lyases
  • cytochrome C synthetase
  • Arginine-tRNA Ligase