Abstract (Summary)
Drosophila cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can function as pheromones and consequently affect mate recognition. In a previous study of the two major CHCs in females that affect mating discrimination between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified on the X and third chromosome, and a few candidate genes were potentially implicated. Here we specifically test candidate genes for CHC biosynthesis and determine the genetic architecture of four additional CHCs that differ in abundance between D. simulans and D. sechellia females. The same QTL, and new ones, were found for additional CHCs. By examining all these CHCs and exploring their covariance, we were able to ascribe putative function to the major QTL. Although desaturases have received considerable attention for their role in CHC biosynthesis, evidence here implies that elongases may be just as important.
2009 NOV 9 - (
"Drosophila cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can function as pheromones and consequently affect mate recognition. In a previous study of the two major CHCs in females that affect mating discrimination between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified on the X and third chromosome, and a few candidate genes were potentially implicated. Here we specifically test candidate genes for CHC biosynthesis and determine the genetic architecture of four additional CHCs that differ in abundance between D. simulans and D. sechellia females. The same QTL, and new ones, were found for additional CHCs. By examining all these CHCs and exploring their covariance, we were able to ascribe putative function to the major QTL. Although desaturases have received considerable attention for their role in CHC biosynthesis, evidence here implies that elongases may be just as important. Sex determination genes do not seem to have a role in this species difference although D. sechellia is sexually dimorphic in CHCs, whereas D. simulans is not," wrote J.M. Gleason and colleagues, University of Kansas.
The researchers concluded: "Epistatic interactions, only detected for CHCs limited to D. sechellia, imply that complex interactions among loci may also be having a role in these compounds that affect mating isolation."
Gleason and colleagues published their study in Heredity (Identification of quantitative trait loci function through analysis of multiple cuticular hydrocarbons differing between Drosophila simulans and Drosophila sechellia females. Heredity, 2009;103(5):416-24).
For additional information, contact J.M. Gleason, University of Kansas, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Lawrence, KS USA..
The publisher of the journal Heredity can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, 345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA.
Keywords: United States, Lawrence, Candidiasis Genetics, Behavior, Vaginal Candidiasis.
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Health & Medicine Week via
| Author(s): | Anonymous |
| Document types: | Expanded Reporting |
| Publication title: | Health & Medicine Week. Atlanta: Nov 9, 2009. pg. 837 |
| Source type: | Periodical |
| ISSN: | 15316459 |
| ProQuest document ID: | 1892898141 |
| Text Word Count | 392 |
| Document URL: | http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1892898141&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=45625&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
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