The miniature gene in Drosophila virilis: Maternal effect and evolutionary conservatism

A comparative study of two mutant alleles of the miniature gene of Drosophila virilis is carried out. The cytological position of the miniature locus on the polytene chromosomes of Drosophila virilis is determined using Drosophila melanogaster sequences that serves to confirm the high degree of evolutionary conservatism of the gene. It is demonstrated that the presence of the Min functional protein is required for fertilization, since females that are homozygous with respect to one of the alleles produce infertile eggs which are also situated anomalously on the surface of the nutrient medium. The temperature-sensitive influence of the other allele on the viability of the individuals is established. A search for interacting genes among the components of the Notch signal pathway is undertaken.