Antisense ribosomal protein gene expression specifically disrupts oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

To assess the functional importance of ribosomal protein rpA1 gene expression during development of Drosophila melanogaster, we have transformed into the fly's genome an antisense rpA1 gene driven by a heat shock promoter. Antisense rpA1 expression severely disrupted oogenesis and produced a "small egg" female-sterile phenotype. The severities of these defects were proportional to the level of antisense rpA1 expression. Anti-rpA1 expression did not affect larval or pupal development. Quantitative RNA analysis suggested that high anti-rpA1 expression results in a general decrease of mRNA in the ovary.