AN EYE COLOR GENE FOR THE DETECTION OF TRANSGENIC NON-DROSOPHILID INSECTS

A genetic marker for identifying transgenic Musca domestica by changes in eye color is described, The Drosophila melanogaster tryptophan oxy genase gene, vermilion (v), was tested for its ability to genetically complement the mutant tryptopban oxygenase gene in houseflies homozygo us for green (ge). The v cDNA, placed under the control of the hsp82 p romoter of D. pseudoobscura was transiently expressed in M. domestica embryos homozygous for the tryptophan oxygenase gene, ge, resulting in the rescue of adult eye color, The use of a gene from D. melanogaster to complement an eye color mutant in Musca provides the opportunity t o develop a gene vector system for M. domestica and a select group of other non-drosophilid insects in which homologous mutations exist. Cop yright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.