An Hsp70 promoter drives expression of ninaE. The Tag:Rho1D4 epitope tag is added to the C terminal tail.
Flies carrying both ninaEΔAsn20 and ninaEhs.T:Btau\1D4 in a ninaE17 background show an accumulation of ER cisternae in the photoreceptors (as is seen in the photoreceptors of flies carrying only ninaEΔAsn20 in a ninaE17 background). 5 week old flies carrying both ninaEΔAsn20 and ninaEhs.T:Btau\1D4 in a ninaE17 background show retinal defects including reduced rhabdomere size, internalized rhabdomeres, membrane accumulations, and progressive, late onset, retinal degeneration.