A NEW DOMINANT SELECTABLE MARKER FOR GENETIC-TRANSFORMATION - HSP70-OPD

New P element plasmids containing the organophosphate-degrading gene o pd as a dominant selectable marker were tested as transformation vecto rs in Drosophila melanogaster, One of these vectors was modified by th e addition of the D. melanogaster mini-white gene as a comarker, When transformed individuals were identified using paraoxon selection for o pd alone, results were similar to those obtained with mini-white, No f alse positives were recovered, however one strain contained the mini-w hite gene but inadequate resistance to survive our screening regimen d ue to a defective Hsp70-opd gene, Results suggest that Hsp70-opd is si milar to mini-white for distinguishing transformed individuals, but do es not require time-consuming individual examination, Due to the mode of action of organophosphorus nerve agents, Hsp70-opd has potential as a selectable marker in numerous animals beside fruit flies.