How many phenotypes can 200 wild genomes make?

SémIDEEV
13/12/2024
12:00:00
Daniel VASILIAUSKAS, NeuroPSI – Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience
IDEEV - Salle Rosalind Franklin
Adult Drosophila eyes possess R8 color photoreceptor neurons that express either blue-sensitive Rhodopsin5 (Rh5) or green-sensitive Rhodopsin6 (Rh6), two G-protein coupled receptors that act as photon detectors. The expression of these rhodopsins defines two mutually exclusive R8 subtypes, which are distributed stochastically in an approximately 1:2 ratio. While the developmental mechanisms governing this expression pattern are relatively well understood, the impact of natural variation on Rh5/Rh6 expression is less explored. We investigated natural variants affecting this expression pattern in a collection of wild-derived inbred Drosophila lines. We found that these variants are frequent and produce surprisingly diverse phenotypes. Using a combination of classical and modern techniques, we identified several causative variants. Our findings reveal the high frequency and diverse effects of natural variants on Rh5/Rh6 expression in Drosophila.