The CinB Nuclease from <i>w</i> No <i>Wolbachia</i> Is Sufficient for Induction of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in <i>Drosophila</i>
Guangxin Sun, Mengwen Zhang, Hongli Chen, Mark Hochstrasser
Abstract
proteins called CifA and CifB, which bind one another, cause CI, but how they work has been unclear. Here, we show that a CifB protein singly produced in fruit fly males causes sterility in crosses to normal females, but this is rescued if the females produce the CifA partner. These findings clarify a broad range of observations on CI and will allow more rational approaches to using it for insect control.
Topics & Concepts
WolbachiaDrosophila (subgenus)Cytoplasmic incompatibilityNucleaseBiologyDrosophila melanogasterCytoplasmGeneticsCell biologyVirologyGeneInsect symbiosis and bacterial influencesInsect behavior and control techniquesInsect and Pesticide Research