RESPONSE OF DROSOPHILA METALLOTHIONEIN PROMOTERS TO METALLIC, HEAT-SHOCK AND OXIDATIVE STRESSES

The metallothionein system in Drosophila melanogaster is composed of t wo genes, Mtn and Mto, In order to compare the induction properties of these genes, we transformed D. melanogaster with P-element vectors co ntaining Adh and lacZ reporter genes under the control of Mtn and Mto promoters, respectively, Mtn and Mto transgenes are mainly expressed i n the digestive tract, However, Mtn expression has been detected also in the fat body, Mtn and Mto transgenes respond differently to metalli c, heat-shock and oxidative stresses, These data confirm that both gen es are in part functionally different.