cis-acting sequences required for the germ line expression of the Drosophila gonadal gene.

We have identified two DNA sequences required for the proper germ line expression of the Drosophila gonadal (gdl) gene. A 53-bp region located from -328 to -276 relative to the gdlM transcription start site was required for the expression of a gdl-lacZ gene fusion in the male germ line. This sequence resides within the upstream z600 gene; however, z600 expression was undetectable in male germ cells. A 30-bp region located from -5 to +25 relative to the gdlF transcription start site was required for the expression of gdl-lacZ gene fusion in the female germ line.