Evolutionary changes in non-histone chromosomal proteins within the Drosophila melanogaster group revealed by monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against nonhistone chromosomal proteins of D. melanogaster were tested for crossreactivity with the homologous antigens of various Drosophila species. -- By indirect immunofluorescence it could be shown that three antibodies react only with polytene chromosomes of species of the D. melanogaster subgroup, and only much less with chromosomes of other species of Drosophila. -- With chromosomes of various other species of the Sophophora or Drosophila radiations only a reaction at background level could be observed. The results suggest that the three antibodies react with different antigenic determinants of a single protein whose conformation changed rather fast during evolution of the Drosophilidae.