Complete RNAi rescue of neuronal degeneration in a constitutively active Drosophila TRP channel mutant.
RNA interference has been widely used to reduce the quantity of the proteins encoded by the targeted genes. A constitutively active, dominant allele of trp, TrpP365, causes massive degeneration of photoreceptors through a persistent and excessive Ca2+ influx. Here we show that a substantial reduction of the TRP channel protein by RNAi in TrpP365 heterozygotes completely rescues the neuronal degeneration and significantly improves the light-elicited responses of the eye. The reduction need not be complete, suggesting that rescue of degeneration may be possible with minimal side effects arising from overdepletion of the target protein.
Geng
Chaoxian
C
Lily Hall of Life Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA.
Pellegrino
Ann
A
Bowman
John
J
Zhu
Liqin
L
Pak
William L
WL
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004596:Electroretinography; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; D019076:Transgenes
D015220:Calcium Channels; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; D002118:Calcium