Interactions between cut wing mutations and mutations in zeste, and the enhancer of yellow and Polycomb group genes of Drosophila melanogaster.

The phenotypic expression of several mutations in the cut locus of Drosophila melanogaster is modified by mutations in the zeste, e(y)2 and e(y)3 genes and in some genes of the Polycomb group. All tested sensitive cut mutations have a partially inactivated cut wing enhancer. e(y)3u1, Zv77h and Su(z)2(5) mutations enhance, while e(y)2u1, ZOp6, PSC1, Su(z)301, Su(z)302 and ScmD1 mutations suppress the ct mutant phenotype. The results are discussed in terms of the role of long-distance interactions and DNA compaction in transcriptional control of the cut locus.