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The pattern of mutation of an unstable gene in Delphinium ajacis
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 April 2009
Extract
1. Inheritance of flower colour in Delphinium ajacis is controlled by a locus with three stable alleles: pb (blue) is dominant to pl (lavender), which is dominant to p (pink). An unstable allele, p*, exists in a number of states, distinguished by the pattern of their mutation to pb and p during the development of the sepals.
2. The rate of occurrence of blue sectors and spots in the developing sepals of p*p* plants is twice that in the sepals of p*pl plants. The rate of mutation to pb apparently falls during the development of the sepals and this is probably due to p* mutating also to the stable p allele.
3. The frequency of pb and p gametes from p*p* plants is twice that from p*pl plants.
4. The pb mutants from p* show no evidence of instability; the controlling element has transposed from the locus.
5. Some p mutants from p* are apparently stable; others can reacquire instability, especially during sexual reproduction. The latter are tentatively interpreted as due to transpositions of the controlling element to other sites within the gene.
6. The instability of p* is only shown in the presence of a dominant activator.
7. Evidence is presented of transposition of the controlling element from p* to a locus controlling the colour of the foliage.
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1964
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