Abstract
The so-called controlling element (CE), which normally programs the curious behavior of the sex chromosome in this genus, has been localized in the short right arm of the polytene X in S. coprophila. The localization was accomplished by use of five X-autosome translocations whose break points define three blocks of heterochromatin (“heterochromomeres”) extending from the X centromere to the very end (right) of the chromosome. The behavior of the translocation chromosomes at the crucial second spermatocyte division was examined and the “precocious” chromosome identified in all five cases. Then, knowing the heterochromomere make-up of each chromosome, the position of the CE could be mapped; it is located in heterochromomere H2, the same block of heterochromatin that contains 50% of the ribosomal RNA cistrons. — The question of whether the CE can manipulate any centromere in the nucleus has been only partially answered. It can manipulate translocation chromosomes which possess the centromere of the metacentric autosome (salivary chromosome IV) or that of the shorter rod (salivary chromosome II); but the longer rod (salivary chromosome III) whose proximal end, as seen in the polytene nucleus, is heavily laden with heterochromatin of its own, has not been brought under CE control. — In one of the translocations, T23, the precocious chromosome is a very large metacentric chromosome which resembles the “peculiar” V-shaped X of S. pauciseta. This peculiarity is not observed in the J-shaped precocious chromosome of T29. These points are discussed.
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Dedicated to Professor Hans Bauer on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
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Crouse, H.V. X heterochromatin subdivision and cytogenetic analysis in Sciara coprophila (diptera, sciaridae). Chromosoma 74, 219–239 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292274
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292274