A new set of lacZ fusion vectors, pUCPlac, for studying gene expression in Drosophila by P-mediated transformation.

A new vector, pUCPlac, was generated by introducing a truncated lacZ structural gene into pUChsneo [Steller and Pirrotta, EMBO J. 4 (1985) 167-171]. In front of this gene a new polylinker was added which will allow the in-frame fusion of sequences containing cis-acting regulatory elements plus translation start site of any given gene. After P-mediated germ-line transformation in Drosophila the action of these regulatory elements can be conveniently monitored by histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase activity. Correct cloning can be easily ascertained by supercoil plasmid sequencing of the constructs using commercially available primers.