The transposon Galileo generates natural chromosomal inversions in Drosophila by ectopic recombination.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) are responsible for the generation of chromosomal inversions in several groups of organisms. However, in Drosophila and other Dipterans, where inversions are abundant both as intraspecific polymorphisms and interspecific fixed differences, the evidence for a role of TEs is scarce. Previous work revealed that the transposon Galileo was involved in the generation of two polymorphic inversions of Drosophila buzzatii.

Methodology/principal findings

To assess the impact of TEs in Drosophila chromosomal evolution and shed light on the mechanism involved, we isolated and sequenced the two breakpoints of another widespread polymorphic inversion from D. buzzatii, 2z(3). In the non inverted chromosome, the 2z(3) distal breakpoint was located betw

SUBMITTER: Delprat A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2775673 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature