CLONING, EXPRESSION, AND REGULATION OF TI SSUE-SPECIFIC GENES IN DROSOPHILA

The family of esterase genes was studied in various Drosophila species . These genes are classified into tissue-specific and housekeeping one s. The expression of tissue-specific esterases in the male reproductiv e system of Drosophila species from the virilis and melanogaster group s was thoroughly examined. Modifier genes controlling activity level, time of synthesis, and distribution in cells of the tissue-specific es terase isozyme from the ejaculatory bulb were revealed. The structural gene coding for this enzyme was isolated, cloned, and sequenced. This gene was shown to be similar in different Drosophila species; the tra nscriptional level of tissue specificity of this gene was determined. The possibility of transformating the tissue-specific gene into a hous ekeeping one was demonstrated. In different Drosophila species, this g ene can be expressed in different parts of the reproductive system. In transgenic males carrying the gene of another species the foreign gen e is expressed as in the donor.