Figure 4. Over-expression of Shaw does not disrupt the molecular clock in Dorsal clock Neurons (DNs).

Flies of the indicated genotypes were individually placed in micro titer plates containing food and luciferin and bioluminescence levels were measured automatically (Materials and Methods). Flies were initially exposed to two LD cycles followed by 3 (upper panel) and 5 (lower panel) days in constant darkness (DD). Average blots are shown. The 8.0-luc:9D transgene (a promoter-less, Period-Luciferase encoding fusion gene) is predominantly expressed in the LNd, DN₁, and DN₃ neurons [30]. Note that expression of Shaw is correlated with a small increase in period length in both experiments. Black and grey arrows indicate the rising phase (upper panel), or peak (lower panel) of luciferase expression for the Shaw expressing and control flies, respectively. White bars indicate times when the lights were “on”, black bars indicate “lights off”. Grey bars signify times in constant darkness when the lights would have been “on” in a continued light∶dark cycle (subjective day).