Abstract
Compensatory mutations offer clues to deciphering the role of a particular protein. Here we investigate an unknown compensatory, present in the BEAFNP6377 fly line, which we call Tofu. This mutation, when isolated, can rescue the ovary defect phenotype seen by earlier knockout experiments of BEAF. We employ both classical genetics and genomic sequencing to attempt to identify the mutation. We find evidence that points to mutations in a polycomb repressive element controlling the Ribbon gene, which may lead to aberrant overexpression. Ribbon has a similar DNA binding motif and overlaps with many BEAF binding sites. These mutations which may cause ectopic expression of the Ribbon gene are strong candidates for Tofu.
