Dietary rescue of a lethal ?null? activity allele of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract
The genetic rescue of Pgd n lethal alleles, accomplished by combining them with mutations lacking glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, has led to the hypothesis that Pgd n lethality may be due to the accumulation of 6-phosphogluconate. In this article we report the rescue of Pgd n /Y males by dietary supplements (fructose and linolenate) designed to minimize 6-phosphogluconate production.