A Drosophila Minute gene encodes a ribosomal protein

Abstract

Minute genes have long constituted a special problem in Drosophila genetics. For at least 50-60 different genes scattered throughout the genome, dominant mutations and/or deficiencies have been recognized which result in a common phenotype consisting of short thin bristles, slow development, reduced viability, rough eyes, small body size and etched tergites. Schultz proposed that the Minute loci encode similar but separate functions involved in growth and division common to all cells. Atwood and Ritossa suggested that Minute loci encode components of the protein synthetic machinery, specifically the transfer RNA genes; this now seems unlikely on grounds of both mapping and mutability studies. More recently, we and others suggested that the Minute loci are ribosomal protein genes. We report here that transformation with a cloned 3.3-kilobase (kb) region containing the gene encoding the large subunit ribosomal protein 49 (rp49) suppresses the dominant phenotypes of Minute (3)99D, a previously undescribed Minute associated with a chromosomal deficiency of the 99D interval. This activity is specific to the 99D Minute as it does not suppress other Minute loci elsewhere in the genome. This result provides direct evidence that the Minute locus at the 99D interval encodes the ribosomal protein 49.

Ribosomal Protein S19 Deficiency Leads to Reduced Proliferation and Increased Apoptosis but Does Not Affect Terminal Erythroid Differentiation in a Cell Line Model of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

“…In addition, the primary pharmacological treatment for DBA patients is dexamethasone, which acts by stimulating proliferation of early erythroid progenitors [27], suggesting that the proposed proliferative defect in DBA can be restored in patients responding to steroid treatment. Drosophila Minute phenotypes, characterized by delayed larval development, diminished viability, reduced body size, diminished fertility, and thin bristles, are due to mutations in RP genes [28,29]. Thus, it is possible that ribosomal proteins play important roles in control of cell proliferation in humans, as well as in Drosophila.…”

Mechanisms of translational deregulation in human tumors and therapeutic intervention strategies

“…Strong evidence that ribosomal proteins are important for growth and proliferation come from previous studies in Drosophila. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in many RP genes display the Minute phenotype characterized by generally retarded development, infertility, and recessive lethality (Kongsuwan et al, 1985). It is still not clear whether overexpression of RP genes seen in tumors results in upregulation of global protein synthesis, or whether the translation of individual mRNAs is more strongly affected.…”

Characterization of differentially expressed genes in purified Drosophila follicle cells: Toward a general strategy for cell type-specific developmental analysis

“…Radiolabeling of probes and Southern hybridization were performed according to standard protocols (14). The probes used (given in the order that the hybridizations were performed) were GFP (15), rp49 (16), and pointed P1 (17).…”