X-linkage is not a general inhibitor of tissue-specific gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster

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Journal Article | Published | English

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Author
Argyridou, Eliza; Huylmans, Ann KISTA ; Königer, Annabella; Parsch, John
Department
Abstract
As a consequence of its difference in copy number between males and females, the X chromosome is subject to unique evolutionary forces and gene regulatory mechanisms. Previous studies of Drosophila melanogaster have shown that the expression of X-linked, testis-specific reporter genes is suppressed in the male germline. However, it is not known whether this phenomenon is restricted to testis-expressed genes or if it is a more general property of genes with tissue-specific expression, which are also underrepresented on the X chromosome. To test this, we compared the expression of three tissue-specific reporter genes (ovary, accessory gland and Malpighian tubule) inserted at various autosomal and X-chromosomal locations. In contrast to testis-specific reporter genes, we found no reduction of X-linked expression in any of the other tissues. In accessory gland and Malpighian tubule, we detected higher expression of the X-linked reporter genes, which suggests that they are at least partially dosage compensated. We found no difference in the tissue-specificity of X-linked and autosomal reporter genes. These findings indicate that, in general, the X chromosome is not a detrimental environment for tissue-specific gene expression and that the suppression of X-linked expression is limited to the male germline.
Publishing Year
Date Published
2017-07-01
Journal Title
Heredity
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Volume
119
Issue
1
Page
27 - 34
ISSN
IST-REx-ID

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