Genetic characterization of the Odd(22) wing mutation and its interaction with alleles of the Delta locus in Drosophila virilis

The dominant sex-linked semilethal mutation Odd(22) was isolated from proge ny of a dysgenic cross of Drosophila virilis lines. Flies homozygous, heter ozygous, and hemizygous for Odd(22) displayed multiple wing defects, includ ing enlargements and gaps on the veins; irregularly thickened, branched, sh ortened, or completely reduced veins; and cuts on the wing margin. The most remarkable feature of the Odd(22) expression was a combination of both an increase and a reduction of the wing vein material simultaneously present i n the same wing, which is commonly associated with suppression and hyperfun ction, respectively, of genes of the Notch (N) signaling system. Phenotypic analysis revealed the interaction of Odd(22) with alleles of the Delta (Dl ) locus, which codes for the ligand of the NOTCH receptor. Based on these d ata, Odd(22) was assumed to directly or indirectly affect the activity of t he genes involved in Dl-N signaling.