Expression of the debcldsRNA.Scer\UAS transgene, driven by Scer\GAL4GMR.PF, completely blocks the small-eye phenotype caused by debclScer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 overexpression.
Embryos in which ubiquitous expression of the debcldsRNA.Scer\UAS transgene is driven by Scer\GAL4da.G32 show a remarkable reduction in the number of dying cells compared with controls.
debcldsRNA.Scer\UAS expression targeted to the developing retina or photoreceptor neurons using Scer\GAL4GMR.PF or Scer\GAL4sev.EP has no effect on eye morphology.
The lifespans of flies expressing debcldsRNA.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4elav-C155 are markedly shorter than those of control flies. Additionally, the frequency of locomotion in the Scer\GAL4elav-C155; debcldsRNA.Scer\UAS flies is significantly reduced compared with that of control flies.
The ATP levels in flies expressing debcldsRNA.Scer\UAS, under the control of Scer\GAL4hs.PB following a heat shock, are significantly lower than those in control fly lines.
Flies expressing both Hsap\MJDQ78.Scer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 and debclScer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 in their neurons, under the control of Scer\GAL4elav-C155, show a significantly shorter lifespan than flies expressing Hsap\MJDQ78.Scer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 alone.
Coexpression of Hsap\MJDQ78.Scer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 and debclScer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1, driven by Scer\GAL4GMR.PF, accelerates the onset of eye neurodegeneration seen in adults expressing Hsap\MJDQ78.Scer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1. The loss of retinal structure and pigment defects are strongly enhanced by debclScer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 expression.
Eyes coexpressing debclScer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1, BuffyScer\UAS.cQa, and Hsap\MJDQ78.Scer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1 (all driven by Scer\GAL4GMR.PF) show a significantly weaker degenerative eye phenotype than eyes expressing BuffyScer\UAS.cQa and Hsap\MJDQ78.Scer\UAS.T:Ivir\HA1.
dsRNA has been transfected into embryos to study the phenotypic consequences of dsRNA interference (RNAi) of the debcl gene.