Open AccessA recessive X‐linked mutation causes a threefold reduction of total body zinc accumulation in Drosophila melanogaster laboratory strains
Author(s) -
Afshar Negar,
Argunhan Bilge,
Bettedi Lucia,
Szular Joanna,
Missirlis Fanis
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
febs open bio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.718
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 2211-5463
DOI - 10.1016/j.fob.2013.07.003
Subject(s) - drosophila melanogaster , biology , zinc , mutant , genetics , locus (genetics) , vitamin , heterozygote advantage , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , metabolism , mutation , allele , biochemistry , gene , chemistry , organic chemistry
A newly identified human locus on chromosome 15 was recently associated with zinc accumulation. Based on a prior report of a threefold difference in zinc accumulation between fumble 1 heterozygous mutants and control fly strains, it was suggested that phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase might affect zinc status through its effects on vitamin B5 (pantothenate) metabolism. We report here that outcrossed fumble 1 heterozygous mutant flies with low zinc content have been recovered, suggesting that pantothenate metabolism did not alter zinc homeostasis in fumble 1 heterozygous flies. We show instead that the Drosophila condition of low body zinc accumulation is an X‐chromosome‐linked recessive trait.