A novel trans-regulatory locus of Drosophila

A new trans-regulatory gene, leg-arista-wing complex (lawc), was earlier id entified in a system of prolonged genetic instability induced by transposit ions of structurally different mobile genetic elements, the P element [1] a nd MDG Stalker [2]. Mutations of this gene alter expression of many loci, i ncluding the achaete and scute proneural genes and the cut locus coding for a homeobox-containing protein. A product of lawc is involved in regulating expression of white. This role is played in cooperation with Zeste which p rovides for a contact between the white promoter and enhancer. A possible r ole of the new locus in organogenesis, neurogenesis, and embryonic developm ent is discussed on the basis of experimental findings.