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. 2007 Dec 28;3(12):e234. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0030234

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© 2007 Al-Ramahi et al.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are properly credited.

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(A–E, A′–E′) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) eye images and (F–J) retinal paraffin sections of eyes from the genotype combinations indicated on the top. Arrows indicate photoreceptor length. Transgenes are expressed form the gmr-GAL4 eye driver.

(A, F) Control eyes show regularly arranged ommatidia, and evenly distributed interommatidial bristles (A). Control retinas have long, straight photoreceptors with no gaps (F).

(B, G) SCA1^82Q eyes have disorganized ommatidia and interommatidial bristles are unevenly distributed or missing (compare B and A). SCA1^82Q retinas show fewer photoreceptors that are shortened and curved (compare G with F).

(C, H) Suppression of external and retinal degeneration in SCA1^82Q flies with decreased dAtx2 levels (SCA1^82Q/dAtx2^X1). Note the regular arrangement of the ommatidia in SCA1^82Q/dAtx2^X1 animals when compared to SCA1^82Q eyes with normal levels of dAtx2 (compare C with B). Note also the improved retinal organization with longer straight photoreceptors (compare H with G).

(D, I) Eyes co-expressing Ataxin-1[82Q] and wild type dAtx2 (SCA1^82Q/dAtx2^OE) have more disorganized ommatidia when compared to SCA1^82Q alone. Note the absence of bristles (compare D with B). In addition, photoreceptors are shorter and more degenerated (compare I with H).

(E, J) Eyes overexpressing low levels of dAtx2 (dAtx2^OE) show mild ommatidial disorganization, with few missing bristles (compare E with A). Internally, photoreceptor cells are shortened (compare J with F). A-E flies were raised at 27°C and F-J at 25°C.

(K) Semiquantitative RT-PCR revealing the levels of SCA1^82Q messenger RNA in flies with different levels of dAtx2.

(L) Western blot analysis revealing the levels of Ataxin-1[82Q] protein in flies with different levels of dAtx2.

Genotypes: (A–J): Control: yw/+; gmr-GAL4/UAS-LacZ. SCA1^82Q: UAS- SCA1^82Q [F7]/yw; gmr-GAL4/+. SCA1^82Q/dAtx2^X1: SCA1^82Q [F7]/yw; gmr-GAL4/+; dAtx2^X1/+. SCA1^82Q/ dAtx2^OE: UAS-SCA1^82Q [F7]/yw; gmr-GAL4/UAS- dAtx2 [4]. dAtx2^OE: gmr-GAL4/UAS- dAtx2 [4]. (A–E) SEM scale bar=100μm. (A′–E′) are 30μm X 30μm. (F–J) scale bar=10μm.