# IONIZING RADIATION AND TRANSPOSON MOBILITY IN DROSOPHILA

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE · 1991 · $37,337

## Abstract

A principal aim of the proposed research is to extend and refine
studies on the interaction between ionizing radiation and
transposon mobility in induction of germ line genetic damage in
Drosophila.  This interaction will be tested by induction of P
element transposition in hybrids.  Traits induced by hybrid
dysgenesis, namely high mutability, sterility, chromosome loss,
transmission distortion, and translocations will be used as
endpoints to test any synergism that may result from the
combined effect of X-irradiation and P element mobility during
specific stages of gametogenesis.  The observed synergism for X-
ray- and P element-induced dominant lethals and sterility will be
measured at various X-ray doses.  Dominant lethals will also be
tested in DNA repair-deficient mutants.  The effect of X rays on
the reversion rate of visible P element insertion mutations in a
multiply marked X chromosome will be studied.

Increasing evidence implicates genetic transposition and
chromosomal rearrangements in the genetic basis of
carcinogenesis Transposable elements have a genomic
organization similar to that of retroviruses.  A component of X-
ray-induced genetic damage, namely chromosome breaks and
rearrangements are events that are also frequently associated
with P element transposition.  The study of the interaction
between X rays, a known oncogenic agent, and transposon
mobility in Drosophila provides an important model system.

A second goal is the cloning of one or more of eleven X-linked
DNA repair genes via P element insertion mutagenesis, and
selection for MMS sensitivity in grandsons of F2 dysgenic females.
In situ hybridization and complementation analysis will confirm
the nature of the mutation.  Cloning of these repair genes should
provide insight on their organization, mutation and transcription.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3173166
- **Project number:** 3R01CA035580-07S1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** WK63UJ11C2H7
- **Principal Investigator:** LOLA MARGULIES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $37,337
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1983-08-01 → 1992-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3173166

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3173166, IONIZING RADIATION AND TRANSPOSON MOBILITY IN DROSOPHILA (3R01CA035580-07S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3173166. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*