Abstract
Many loss-of-function mutations in the Drosophila vermilion (v) gene have been described. However, the causal mutation in the common v [24] allele is unknown. We sequenced different v alleles (v [24] , v [+] , and v [1]) to identify candidate v [24] mutations. We identified a single T>A missense mutation shared among the three v [24] chromosomes, resulting in a Phe>Ile amino acid change within the predicted tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase protein domain. This same T>A missense mutation has been independently shown to result in a v [-] phenotype by Nivard et al., 1993 and is therefore strong corroborating evidence that this mutation is causal for the v [-] phenotype in the v [24] allele.
