Physiological genetics of melanotic tumours inDrosophila melanogaster: VIII. The role of choline in the expression of the tumour genetu bwand of its suppressor,su-tu

Abstract

SUMMARYThe melanotic tumour genetu bwofDrosophila melanogasterhas a specific suppressorsu-tu. The genotypestu bw; +su-tuandtu bw; su-tushow opposite responses, as measured by tumour penetrance, to increasing choline levels in the defined axenic medium. The three major metabolic functions of choline have been examined using additions to the axenic medium to determine which biochemical pathway(s) are different in the two genotypes. It is concluded that the opposite strain responses are due to changes in the pattern of phospholipid synthesis, and that the gene product of thesu-tugene probably functions in this area of metabolism.