Introduction
Drosophila melanogaster can be considered model organisms for the study of genetics. Some characteristics that contribute to this status are their quick lifecycles, large amount of offspring, and the presence of only four chromosomes. Drosophila melanogaster contain bristles on the thorax, head, legs, and abdomen. These bristles are used as a sensory mechanism, allowing fruit flies to detect their surroundings as they fly and walk around their environment (Yehuda, 2011).
The rate of mutation, particularly in bristles, occurs often. One specific example of a mutation that occurs in bristles is known as Stubble (Sb). Sb was discovered by Bridges in 1923. Sb was used by Dr. Muller in his studies of balancer chromosomes (Muller, 1958). He found that it could be used as a tool to prevent crossing over and allow scientists to forgo constantly screening for mutations and allow dominant markers to be carried (Edgley, 2006). Stubble is located on Chromosome 3R at 3-58.22 (Duncan and Kaufman, 1975).
It is a dominant gene. Unlike most genes that have this mode of inheritance, the Stubble gene is typically not homozygous lethal (Attrill,2016). Stubble bristles are fifty percent the size of Wild-type …show more content…
Balancer chromosomes such as Stubble, allow for an easier and more efficient way to conduct research and get closer to finding cures to otherwise lethal illnesses. As well as being involved as a balancer chromosome, Stubble’s future also involves trying to identify what its proteins act upon to create the Rho-mediated signaling pathway (Hammonds and Fristrom, 2006). There is still a lot to learn about the molecular interaction of the Stubble gene. In the future, research will focus on what steps are taken in molecular
Drosophila melanogaster can be considered model organisms for the study of genetics. Some characteristics that contribute to this status are their quick lifecycles, large amount of offspring, and the presence of only four chromosomes. Drosophila melanogaster contain bristles on the thorax, head, legs, and abdomen. These bristles are used as a sensory mechanism, allowing fruit flies to detect their surroundings as they fly and walk around their environment (Yehuda, 2011).
The rate of mutation, particularly in bristles, occurs often. One specific example of a mutation that occurs in bristles is known as Stubble (Sb). Sb was discovered by Bridges in 1923. Sb was used by Dr. Muller in his studies of balancer chromosomes (Muller, 1958). He found that it could be used as a tool to prevent crossing over and allow scientists to forgo constantly screening for mutations and allow dominant markers to be carried (Edgley, 2006). Stubble is located on Chromosome 3R at 3-58.22 (Duncan and Kaufman, 1975).
It is a dominant gene. Unlike most genes that have this mode of inheritance, the Stubble gene is typically not homozygous lethal (Attrill,2016). Stubble bristles are fifty percent the size of Wild-type …show more content…
Balancer chromosomes such as Stubble, allow for an easier and more efficient way to conduct research and get closer to finding cures to otherwise lethal illnesses. As well as being involved as a balancer chromosome, Stubble’s future also involves trying to identify what its proteins act upon to create the Rho-mediated signaling pathway (Hammonds and Fristrom, 2006). There is still a lot to learn about the molecular interaction of the Stubble gene. In the future, research will focus on what steps are taken in molecular