Evidence for a functional interaction between the Bari1 transposable element and the cytochrome P450 cyp12a4 gene in Drosophila melanogaster

Previous studies of the genomic distribution of the transposon Bari1 in Drosophila melanogaster have revealed an element which is fixed at division 91F in over 90 lab and natural populations. Here we report about the structural and transcriptional features of the insertion site which was studied in sublines isolated from an exceptional Drosophila line polymorphic for the presence/absence of Bari1 at 91F. The insert is located at the 3′ end of the cyp12a4 gene that belongs to the cytochrome P450 family. In flies with the insert the transcript of this gene encompasses 18 nucleotides of the transposon, it is shorter and is about tenfold more abundant compared to flies devoid of it. Although the hypothetical selective agent remains unknown, these data are suggestive of a selective advantage brought about by the Bari1 insert and are reminiscent of recent evidence for functional mutagenesis of cyp6g1, another P450 gene, brought about by Accord and Doc transposable elements in D. melanogaster and Drosophila simulans.