IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ONCOGENE YES-HOMOLOGOUS GENOMIC CLONES FROM DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

The proto-oncogene yes encodes a protein tyrosine kinase described as a member of the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases family (NRPTK). We have identified two clones from the genomic library of Drosophila melanogaster which hybridized to the v-yes oncogene (encoded by the Y73/Esh Avian Sarcoma Virus). These clones represent two different genomic sequences from Drosophila. By RNA slot blot hybridization, we have demonstrated the presence of yes homologous sequences in the RNA of larvae (the third instar), pupae and an embryonic cell line of Drosophila. On northern analysis of the cell line RNA, three transcripts (3.8, 2.0 and 1.0 kb) hybridized with the yes sequence. Oncogene yes is thus well conserved across widely separated phylogenetic lines like human, chicken and Drosophila indicating involvement in essential biological functions.