An Assay to Detect In Vivo Y Chromosome Loss in Drosophila Wing Disc Cells

摘要

Loss of the Y chromosome in Drosophila has no impact on cell viability and therefore allows us to assay the impact of environmental agents and genetic alterations on chromosomal loss. To detect in vivo chromosome loss in cells of the developing Drosophila wing primordia, we first engineered a Y chromosome with an attP docking site. By making use of the ΦC31 integrase system, we site-specifically integrated a genomic transgene encompassing the multiple wing hair () locus into this attP site, leading to a ⁺Y chromosome. This chromosome fully rescues the mutant phenotype, an excellent recessive wing cell marker mutation. Loss of this ⁺Y chromosome in wing primordial cells then leads to manifestation of the mutant phenotype in -homozygous cells. The forming clones permit us to quantify the effect of agents and genetic alterations by assaying frequency and size of the mosaic spots. To illustrate the use of the ⁺Y loss system, the effects of four known mutagens (X-rays, colchicine, ethyl methanesulfonate, and formaldehyde) and two genetic conditions (loss- and gain-of-function mutant alleles) are documented. The procedure is simple, sensitive, and inexpensive.