Differential replication of satellite DNA in polyploid tissues of Drosophila virilis

Satellite DNA amounts were examined in adult tissues of Drosophila virilis, a species whose DNA contains three prominent satellites. Satellite amounts in DNA from six of the seven tissues were lower than in DNA from diploid (adult brain) tissue. Satellite amounts in adult ovary DNA, however, were equivalent to or greater than diploid levels. When DNA from pupal ovaries was examined, a 30% increase in satellite amounts over diploid levels was found. An RNA-DNA hybridization experiment showed that the ribosomal RNA genes in pupal ovary DNA were under-replicated relative to diploid DNA levels.