TESTING TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS AS GENETIC DRIVE MECHANISMS USING DROSOPHILA P-ELEMENT CONSTRUCTS AS A MODEL SYSTEM

The use of transposable elements (TEs) as genetic drive mechanisms was explored using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Alternative strategies, employing autonomous and nonautonomous P element construc ts were compared for their efficiency in driving the ry(+) allele into populations homozygous for a ry(-) allele at the genomic rosy locus. Transformed flies were introduced at 1%, 5%, and 10% starting frequenc ies to establish a series of populations that were monitored over the course of 40 generations, using both phenotypic and molecular assays. The transposon-borne ry(+) marker allele spread rapidly in almost all populations when introduced at 5% and 10% seed frequencies, but 1% int roductions frequently failed to become established. A similar initial rapid increase in frequency of the ry(+) transposon occurred in severa l control populations lacking a source of transposase. Constructs carr ying ry(+) markers also increased to moderate frequencies in the absen ce of selection on the marker. The results of Southern and in situ hyb ridization studies indicated a strong inverse relationship between the degree of conservation of construct integrity and transposition frequ ency. These finding have relevance to possible future applications of transposons as genetic drive mechanisms.