The gene transformer of anastrepha fruit flies (Diptera, tephritidae) and its evolution in insects.

ABSTRACT: In the tephritids Ceratitis capitata and Bactrocera oleae, the gene transformer acts as the memory device for sex determination, via an auto-regulatory function; and functional Tra protein is produced only in females. This paper investigates the evolution of the gene tra, which was characterised in twelve tephritid species belonging to the less extensively analysed genus Anastrepha. Our study provided the following major conclusions. Firstly, the memory device mechanism used by this gene in sex determination in tephritids likely existed in the common ancestor of the Ceratitis, Bactrocera and Anastrepha phylogenetic lineages. This mechanism would represent the ancestral state with respect to the extant cascade seen in the more evolved Drosophila lineage. Secondly, Transformer2-specific bind

SUBMITTER: Ruiz MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2080774 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature