Unmasking a cheating gene
Crow, J.F.
Science 283(5408): 1651-1652
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 10189318 Document Number: 506409
In this issue, C. Merrill and colleagues identify the product of the mutant Segregation disorder or Sd gene, which manages to cheat its way into being transmitted to practically all progeny of heterozygous Drosophila fruit flies. During sperm development, the mutant Sd gene usually prevents the maturation of spermatids that do not receive it. The researchers found that Sd encodes a defective version of RanGAP, a protein vital for transporting materials into and out of the nucleus. Precisely how spermatid maturation is prevented by defective nuclear transport is unknown.