Response of Drosophilametallothionein promoters to metallic, heat shock and oxidative stresses

The metallothionein system in Drosophila melanogasteris composed of two genes, Mtnand Mto. In order to compare the induction properties of these genes, we transformed D. melanogasterwith P-element vectors containing Adhand lacZreporter genes under the control of Mtnand Mtopromoters, respectively. Mtnand Mtotransgenes are mainly expressed in the digestive tract. However, Mtnexpression has been detected also in the fat body. Mtnand Mtotransgenes respond differently to metallic, heat-shock and oxidative stresses. These data confirm that both genes are in part functionally different.