Evolution of salivary glue genes in Drosophila species.

ABSTRACT:

Background

At the very end of the larval stage Drosophila expectorate a glue secreted by their salivary glands to attach themselves to a substrate while pupariating. The glue is a mixture of apparently unrelated proteins, some of which are highly glycosylated and possess internal repeats. Because species adhere to distinct substrates (i.e. leaves, wood, rotten fruits), glue genes are expected to evolve rapidly.

Results

We used available genome sequences and PCR-sequencing of regions of interest to investigate the glue genes in 20 Drosophila species. We discovered a new gene in addition to the seven glue genes annotated in D. melanogaster. We also identified a phase 1 intron at a conserved position present in five of the eight glue genes of D. melanogaster, suggesting a commo

SUBMITTER: Da Lage JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6352337 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature