The isolation of a mutation causing abnormal cytokinesis in male and splitchromocenter in female meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster

The genetic screen for the meiotic mutations showing chromosome non-disjunc tion in mosaic clones of female germ line generated by FLP-FRT mediated mit otic recombination was performed. The sterile meiotic mutation ff16 (69D1 - 70A2) was found among the mutants obtained. In the male germ line the muta tion showed lack of meiosis I cytokinesis and other meiotic abnormalities. The sterility of the mutant is due to the lack of the sperm motility. In fe male germ line the morphological defects-decreased number of ovarioles and nurse cells in the egg chambers is visible. At the cell level the mutation showed karyosome fragmentation constituting to the gene participation in ch romocenter formation/maintance. The cases of the spindle fragmentation reve aled the processes acting in female meiotic metaphase. Premeiotic and mitot ic defects of the mutation have also been detected.