Behavioral and Pheromonal Phenotypes Associated with Expression of Loss-of-Function Mutations in the Sex-Lethal Gene of Drosophila Melanogaster

Abstract

We have shown that female-specific functions of the sex determination gene Sex-lethal (Sxl) regulate sexual behavior and synthesis of the three major sex pheromones that have been identified in normal, sexually mature Drosophila melanogaster males and virgin females. Diplo-X flies, heterozygous in trans for two partial loss-of-function Sxl mutations, elicit less courtship than normal females and produce large quantities of the inhibitory pheromones that normal males synthesize. In addition, the mutant flies fail to synthesize the female-predominant aphrodisiac pheromone or make very small quantities of this compound.

Key Words:

• sex pheromone
• sex determination
• insect behavior