Double minute chromosomes in Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (DIPTERA: Tephritidae): a model for cancer studies

Abstract

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) is known as the South American Fruit Fly. In order to develop efficient control strategies, we need deep knowledge on its biology along with periodical studies on population dynamics. Citogenetic studies on natural populations of this pest fly made it possible to reveal the presence of double minute chromosomes (DMs) in several natural populations of this insect. Cytogenetic studies performed in our insect laboratory, allowed the genetic analysis through a genealogical methodology. The establishment of families made it possible the genetic studies allowing the rigorous identification, characterization and confirmation of new chromosomal variants, frequently missinterpreted when the materials analyzed only come from nature. Double minute chromosomes -considered a type of chromosomal rearrangement- are extra chromosomal gene copies. This study sought to answer: What role do DMs chromosomes play in laboratory populations of the pest derived from natural populations? How are they transmitted from one generation to another? To answer our questions, we analyzed for 25 generations, two laboratory populations derived from Tucuman (T) and Buenos Aires (BA -tester) guava,. Data were recovered from cytological analysis of ganglia preparations revealed with H33258. The natural population from BA didn’t carry DMs. Results showed DMs in flies of both laboratory populations. DMs were transmitted from parents to progenies through 25 generations and their transmission was randomized in number. DMs are the cytological expression of resistance mechanisms used by the pest as a response to environmental stress. DMs in BA strain marked the change to the laboratory environment. A. fraterculus is a model insect for the study of cancer.