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Molecular characterization of rDt, a maize transposon of the “Dotted” controlling element system

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Summary

We have molecularly cloned the rDt transposon, one component of the classic “Dotted” two-element system of controlling elements. The rDt transposon was identified as a DNA insertion in each of two independent mutation events of the maize A1 gene, a gene necessary for the biosynthesis of anthocyanin pigment. Both mutant alleles result in a stable, anthocyaninless phenotype in all plant tissues. When the transposon “Dotted”, (Dt), is present in the genome each allele exhibits a characteristic mutable phenotype (spots of anthocyanin pigmentation). The DNA insertion has been designated rDt, for it responds to or is regulated by the Dt element to allow expression of the otherwise mutated gene, and it had not been named in earlier genetic studies. Sequence analysis revealed the rDt element to be an identical 704 bp insertion within the two mutable alleles, but in opposite orientation and in different exons of the gene. rDt contains an imperfect terminal inverted repeat with similarity to transposable elements of various species. A duplication of 8 bp of the target host site is formed upon integration of the element, and the element is excised from the locus in a germinal revertant. The difference in phenotype of the two unstable alleles, a1 and am-1:Cache, is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. Jennifer J. Brown

    Present address: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, 11724, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA

  2. Catherine O'Reilly

    Present address: Sunderland Polytechnic, SR1 3SD, Sunderland, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Research and Development Department, Experimental Station, E.I. du Pont de Nemours Company, 19898, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Jennifer J. Brown, Maryann G. Mattes & Nancy S. Shepherd

  2. Max Planck Institut für Züchtungsforschung, D-5000, Köln 30, Federal Republic of Germany

    Catherine O'Reilly

Authors
  1. Jennifer J. Brown
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  2. Maryann G. Mattes
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  3. Catherine O'Reilly
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  4. Nancy S. Shepherd
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Communicated by H. Saedler

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Brown, J.J., Mattes, M.G., O'Reilly, C. et al. Molecular characterization of rDt, a maize transposon of the “Dotted” controlling element system. Mol Gen Genet 215, 239–244 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339723

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339723

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