Structure-specific abnormalities associated with mutations in a DNA replication accessory factor in Drosophila

We have phenotypically and molecularly analyzed the cutlet locus in Drosoph ila. Homozygous cutlet flies exhibit abnormal development of a subset of ad ult tissues, including the eye, wing, and ovary. We show that abnormal deve lopment of these tissues is due to a defect in normal cell growth. Surprisi ngly, cell growth is affected in all developing precursor tissues in cutlet mutant animals, including those that give rise to phenotypically wild-type adult structures. The cutlet gene encodes a Drosophila homologue of yeast CHL12 and has similarity to mammalian replication factor C. In addition, cu tlet genetically interacts with multiple subunits of Drosophila replication factor C. Our results suggest that the cutlet gene product acts as an acce ssory factor for DNA replication and has different requirements for the for mation of various adult structures during Drosophila development. (C) 2001 Academic Press.