A Molecular Basis for Natural Selection at the timeless Locus in Drosophila melanogaster
Sandrelli, Federica ; Tauber, Eran ; Pegoraro, Mirko ; et al. ; - ASI Sponsor
Jun - 2007
ISSN : 1095-9203 ;
journal : Science (New York, N.Y.)

Issue : 5833
type: Article Journal

Abstract
Diapause is a protective response to unfavorable environments that results in a suspension of insect development and is most often associated with the onset of winter. The ls-tim mutation in the Drosophila melanogaster clock gene timeless has spread in Europe over the past 10,000 years, possibly because it enhances diapause. We show that the mutant allele attenuates the photosensitivity of the circadian clock and causes decreased dimerization of the mutant TIMELESS protein isoform to CRYPTOCHROME, the circadian photoreceptor. This interaction results in a more stable TIMELESS product. These findings reveal a molecular link between diapause and circadian photoreception.

keywords : ASI - Sponsor,Alleles,Animals,Circadian Rhythm,Circadian Rhythm: genetics,Climate,Cryptochromes,Dimerization,Drosophila Proteins,Drosophila Proteins: chemistry,Drosophila Proteins: genetics,Drosophila Proteins: metabolism,Drosophila melanogaster,Drosophila melanogaster: genetics,Drosophila melanogaster: metabolism,Drosophila melanogaster: physiology,Europe,Female,Flavoproteins,Flavoproteins: metabolism,Genetic,Light,Motor Activity,Mutation,Photoperiod,Protein Isoforms,Protein Isoforms: chemistry,Protein Isoforms: genetics,Protein Isoforms: metabolism,Seasons,Selection,Temperature,Transgenes,Two-Hybrid System Techniques