Isolation and molecular characterization of the bactrocera zonata [saund.] sex-lethal [SxL] gene homologue of the ceratitis capitata

ABSTRACT

The fruit fly Bactrocera zonata [Dacus zonata] is a serious pest of fruits in many parts of the world. B. zonata larvae feed exclusively on fruits, causing severe damage to crops. B.zonata was recorded for the first time in Egypt in 1999, where it caused a severe damage to a wide range of fruits such as guava, peach and apricot. This work includes the isolation and molecular characterization of the fruit fly B. zonata sex-lethal [Bz SxL] gene homologs to the C. capitata SxL [CcSxl] gene. Investigation of the effect of Gamma radiation on the expression of B. zonata SxL gene had been performed. Mature pupae 2 days before eclosion, were irradiated at 100, 120, 150 GY gamma irradiation. Total RNA has been isolated from every irradiated dose. Fragments of the Bz SxL were recoverd with RT-PCR and sequenced. Irradiated and non-irradiated B. zonata SxL gene [Bz SxL] express the same pattern of transcripts, which encode for a single common polypeptide in both male and female flies. The sequenced fragment of irradiated female with 150 GY dose revealed some sequence mutations. The gene shares a high degree of similarity in sequence compared to C. capitata orthologous and does not appear to play a key regulatory role in the sex determining cascade