THE EXPRESSION OF ESTERASE-S GENE OF DROSOPHILA-VIRILIS IN DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

Drosophila melanogaster was transformed with the esterase S gene from Drosophila virilis, This gene is strongly activated in ejaculatory bul bs of mature males of Drosophila virilis. The closely related gene fro m Drosophila melanogaster is activated in ejaculatory ducts. The tissu e- and stage-specific expression of incomplete genomic copy of the est erase S gene integrated into the Drosophila melanogaster genome is the same as in Drosophila virilis. These data show that tissue and stage specificity is determined by relatively small 5' regulatory region of the esterase S gene. The comparison between deduced amino-acid sequenc es of the esterase S of Drosophila virilis and esterase 6 of Drosophil a melanogaster was performed. These sequences revealed 50% homology,