Intracellular localization and tissue specificity of the Methoprene-tolerant (Met) gene product in Drosophila melanogaster.

The Methoprene-tolerant (Met) gene product in Drosophila melanogaster facilitates the action of juvenile hormone (JH) and JH analog insecticides. Previous work resulted in the cloning and identification of the gene as a member of the bHLH-PAS family of transcriptional regulators. A Met(+) cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli, and polyclonal antibody was prepared against the purified protein. A single band on a Western blot at the expected size of 79kD was detected in extracts from Met(+) larvae but not from Met(27) null mutant larvae, demonstrating the antibody specificity. Antibody detected MET in all stages of D. melanogaster development and showed tissue specificity of its expression. MET is present in all cells of early embryos but dissipates during gastrulation. In larvae it is present in larval fat body, certain imaginal cells, and immature salivary glands. In pupae it persists in fat body cells and imaginal cells, including abdominal histoblast cells. In adult females MET is present in ovarian follicle cells and spermathecae; in adult males it is present in male accessory gland and ejaculatory duct cells. In all of these tissues MET is found exclusively in the nucleus. Some of these tissues are known JH target tissues but others are not, suggesting either the presence of novel JH target tissues or another function for MET.