Mapping the Essential Genes in the Pericentromeric Heterochromatin of the Second Chromosome's Left Arm in Drosophila melanogaster

Heterochromatic regions perform essential roles in model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster, yet not all have been genetically mapped. The current project focused on identifying and mapping the essential heterochromatic genes found in the lethal region of the left arm of the second chromosome (2Lh) in D. melanogaster, constructing a genetic map in the process. This was achieved by finding fatal mutations in D. melanogaster lines via the candidate gene approach, which compared genomic DNA sequences of potential mutant candidates with the genes control line sequence. To indicate their importance, the mutations found were discussed and their effects on the genes are explained. Six out of the seven essential genes have been located: one which was previously found (light), and five in this project: CG42748, Ir40a, CG17493, Slmap, and Cht10. The seventh and final gene, l(2)40Fe, has been deemed unfindable and is explained more thoroughly later in this paper.