Gene within a gene: nested Drosophila genes encode unrelated proteins on opposite DNA strands

Cell. 1986 Jan 17;44(1):33-42. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90482-4.

Abstract

A pupal cuticle protein gene has been found within an intron of a Drosophila gene that encodes three purine pathway enzymatic activities. The intronic gene is encoded on the DNA strand opposite the purine pathway gene and is itself interrupted by an intron. Whereas the purine pathway gene is active throughout development, the intronic cuticle protein gene is expressed primarily over a 3 hr period in the abdominal epidermal cells of prepupae that secrete the pupal cuticle. Therefore, a housekeeping gene and a developmentally regulated gene function in a nested arrangement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes*
  • Genetic Code
  • Hydroxymethyl and Formyl Transferases*
  • Insect Hormones / genetics*
  • Insect Proteins*
  • Larva
  • Ligases / genetics*
  • Phosphoribosylglycinamide Formyltransferase
  • Pupa
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Insect Hormones
  • Insect Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • cuticle proteins, insects
  • DNA
  • Hydroxymethyl and Formyl Transferases
  • Phosphoribosylglycinamide Formyltransferase
  • Acyltransferases
  • Ligases
  • Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases
  • phosphoribosylaminoimidazole synthase
  • phosphoribosylamine-glycine ligase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/J02527
  • GENBANK/K02461
  • GENBANK/X06286
  • GENBANK/Y00606