Defining the breakpoints of the v ermilion white ( v (w) ) mutation, a deletion that removes vermilion, gustatory receptor candidate 58, and norpA

A key mutation for generating transgenics in Tribolium castaneum is vermilion (white) ( v (w) ).  v (w) is a deletion that removes most of the vermilion locus, but the upstream breakpoint has not been mapped. Here we report that the second breakpoint is located upstream in the Tribolium homolog of norpA. The v (w) deletion is 4434 bps. The deletion eliminates not only vermilion but also gustatory receptor candidate 58 and norpA function. Therefore, the v (w) mutation is a deficiency that affects three genetic loci. To acknowledge the disruption of multiple loci this genetic mutant will be known as Deficiency vermilion (white) , Df ( v (w) ).