From E. A. Carrey, University of Dundee
Dundee
I was intrigued by your report on flightless flies (Feedback, 26 October). It
seems that these houseflies may have a mutation in the same gene that gives rise
to the rudimentary phenotype in fruit flies.
This well-known gene codes for the multienzyme polypeptide CAD which
catalyses the first three steps in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides.
The flies have stubby wings and the females are destined to be sterile (their
eggs do not contain the nucleotides required as nutrients for the developing
embryo).
The flies will only survive to breed if raised on jelly that contains uracil.
Thus the breeding stocks should survive with uracil in the diet, but wingless
flies will be obtained if the eggs develop without nucleotides.
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