Carareto, CMAKim, W.Wojciechowski, M. F.O'Grady, P.Prokchorova, A. V.Silva, J. C.Kidwell, M. G.2014-05-202014-05-201997-01-01Genetica. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publ, v. 101, n. 1, p. 13-33, 1997.0016-6707http://hdl.handle.net/11449/38268The use of transposable elements (TEs) as genetic drive mechanisms was explored using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Alternative strategies, employing autonomous and nonautonomous P element constructs were compared for their efficiency in driving the ry(+) allele into populations homozygous for a ry(-) allele at the genomic rosy locus. Transformed flies were introduced at 1%, 5%, and 10% starting frequencies to establish a series of populations that were monitored over the course of 40 generations, using both phenotypic and molecular assays. The transposon-borne ry(+) marker allele spread rapidly in almost all populations when introduced at 5% and 10% seed frequencies, but 1% introductions frequently failed to become established. A similar initial rapid increase in frequency of the ry(+) transposon occurred in several control populations lacking a source of transposase. Constructs carrying ry(+) markers also increased to moderate frequencies in the absence of selection on the marker. The results of Southern and in situ hybridization studies indicated a strong inverse relationship between the degree of conservation of construct integrity and transposition frequency. These finding have relevance to possible future applications of transposons as genetic drive mechanisms.13-33engDrosophila melanogasterP elementspopulation studiestransposable elementsArtigo10.1023/A:1018339603370WOS:000071700000002Acesso restrito34257729983192160000-0002-0298-1354