FIGURE 5:
Model of Vha68-1 function in Rh1 trafficking. In wild-type flies, Rh1 is synthesized in the ER and undergoes N-glycosylation. Oligosaccharides are sequentially removed in the Golgi and secretory vesicles before mature Rh1 is delivered to the rhabdomere. In vha68-11 mutant flies, post-Golgi secretory vesicles fail to maintain low pH level because of V-ATPase malfunction. As a result, Rh1 is not fully deglycosylated, accumulating in secretory vesicles within the photoreceptor cell body. Levels of functional Rh1 are therefore reduced in the rhabdomere.