MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF THE DROSOPHILA CATALASE GENE

The main objective of this study was to isolate and characterize the c atalase gene and accompanying cis-regulatory regions in Drosophila mel anogaster. Genomic clones were obtained on the basis of crosshybridiza tion to catalase cDNA and a 7-kb SalI-KpnI fragment encompassing the c atalase gene was introduced into Drosophila by P element-mediated tran sformation. A single transgene, when placed in a catalase null backgro und, was sufficient to restore resistance to H2O2 as well as reduce su sceptibility to early death. DNA sequence of the catalase gene domain was obtained, This included 1365 bp of sequence upstream of the transc ription initiation site and 1423 bp downstream of the termination codo n, The Drosophila catalase gene is composed of 3 egons, encoding 19, 3 07, and 180 amino acids, which are separated by 3520- and 96-bp intron s. Sequence analysis of the promoter domain is presented, revealing mu ltiple sequence similarities between catalase and Cu,Zn superoxide dis mutase promoter domains. Developmental RNA gel analysis shows that pea ks of catalase mRNA accumulation correspond roughly with major peaks o f ecdysone titer during third instar and pupal stages, Candidate ecdys one response element sequences are noted downstream of the catalase po lyadenylation site. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.