Natural variation in stochastic photoreceptor specification and color preference inDrosophila

• DOI: 10.1101/153445
• Publication Date: 2017-06-22T05:10:14Z
• Authors: Caitlin Anderson; India Reiss; Cyrus Zhou; Annie Cho; Haziq Siddiqi; Ben Mormann; Cameron M. Avelis; Alan Bergland; Elijah Roberts; James Taylor; Daniel Vasiliauskas; Robert J. Johnston
• Keywords: Transcription

Abstract Each individual perceives the world in a unique way, but little is known about genetic basis of variation sensory perception. Here we investigated natural development and function color vision system Drosophila . In fly eye, random mosaic color-detecting R7 photoreceptor subtypes determined by stochastic expression transcription factor Spineless (Ss). Individual R7s randomly choose between Ss ON or OFF fates at ratio 65:35, resulting patterns consistent proportions cell types across genetically identical retinas. genome wide association study, identified naturally occurring insertion regulatory DNA element ss gene that lowers to cells. This change shifts innate preference flies from green blue. The variant increases binding affinity for Klumpfuss (Klu), zinc finger transcriptional repressor regulates expression. Klu expressed intermediate levels determine normal Thus, site are finely tuned regulate on/off expression, setting alternative ultimately determining preference.