Gene activation without histone acetylation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Chromosomal puffing, generally believed to represent gene activation in Drosophila, was induced in the presence of radioactively labeled acetate. There is no preferential uptake of these labeled molecules in regions of gene activation. It is concluded that the acetylation of histones does not play a general role in the regulation of RNA synthesis in Drosophila melanogaster.