Abstract
The I factor is a transposable element controlling the I-R system of hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. This phenomenon occurs when males from the inducer class of strains are crossed with females from the reactive class of strains1. Inducer strains contain complete 5.4-kilobase (kb) I factors, reactive strains do not2,3. Incomplete I elements are present in peri-centromeric regions of both categories of strains2. The 5.4-kb I factors are genetically active in stimulating hybrid dysgenesis and can transpose, whereas incomplete I elements seem to be genetically inactive and transpose rarely. The results of in situ hybridization and Southern transfer experiments indicate that most incomplete I elements are at constant locations in all D. melanogaster populations, suggesting that they were present in the genome before the spread of this species throughout the world. To investigate the evolutionary origin of the I factor, we have studied various Drosophila species for the presence of sequences homologous to it. We find that such sequences are widespread. Moreover, elements that are very similar to complete and active I factors occur in the species most closely related to D. melanogaster.
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Bucheton, A., Simonelig, M., Vaury, C. et al. Sequences similar to the I transposable element involved in I-R hybrid dysgenesis in D. melanogaster occur in other Drosophila species. Nature 322, 650–652 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/322650a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/322650a0
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