Transposition of Cloned P Elements into <i>Drosophila</i> Germ Line Chromosomes

TLDR

These observations provide the basis for efficient DNA‑mediated gene transfer in Drosophila. Recombinant DNA containing a 3‑kb transposable element was injected into Drosophila embryos lacking such elements. Under optimal conditions, roughly half of surviving embryos transmitted 1–5 intact 3‑kb P elements to their progeny, showing efficient and selective transposition from extrachromosomal DNA into germ‑line chromosomes.

Abstract

Recombinant DNA carrying the 3-kilobase transposable element was injected into Drosophila embryos of a strain that lacked such elements. Under optimum conditions, half of the surviving embryos showed evidence of P element-induced mutations in a fraction of their progeny. Direct analysis of the DNA of strains derived from such flies showed them to contain from one to five intact 3-kilobase P elements located at a wide variety of chromosomal sites. DNA sequences located outside the P element on the injected DNA were not transferred. Thus P elements can efficiently and selectively transpose from extrachromosomal DNA to the DNA of germ line chromosomes in Drosophila embryos. These observations provide the basis for efficient DNA-mediated gene transfer in Drosophila.