Structure, chromosomal localization, and expression of the Drosophila melanogaster gene encoding sepiapterin reductase

Abstract We have isolated and characterized a Drosophila melanogaster gene encoding the sepiapterin reductase (SR). The gene does not have introns. The 5′- and 3′-RACE analysis, which determined the transcription start point (tsp) and polyadenylation site, respectively, showed that the gene produces single mRNA species. The potential promoter region lacks distinct TATAAA or CCAAT box consensus sequences. RNA blot analysis revealed that the gene encodes a 1.4 kb transcript that could be detected throughout development and in both heads and bodies of adults. The Drosophila SR gene maps to 15A on the X chromosome.