Name: studying membrane protein trafficking in drosophila photoreceptor cells using egfp-tagged proteins
Uploaded: 2022-01-21T14:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Studying Membrane Protein Trafficking in Drosophila Photoreceptor Cells Using eGFP-Tagged Proteins at JoVE.com

We would like to thank our student researchers over the years. In particular, Nina Meyer, Sibylle Mayer, Juliane Kaim, and Laura Jaggy, whose data have been utilized in this protocol as representative results. Research of our group presented here was funded by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Hu 839/2-4, Hu 839/7-1) to Armin Huber.

1. General considerations
<ol>
	<li>Use Drosophila stocks expressing a permanently rhabdomerally located fluorescence protein for morphological analysis (e.g., TRP::eGFP, eGFP::NINAC) and translocating proteins for analyses regarding protein trafficking (e.g., TRPL::eGFP, Arr2::eGFP).</li>
	<li>Predetermine light exposure conditions of selected flies for the experimental approach.
	<ol>
		<li>For dark-adaptation, keep the flies in dark boxes for the desired period at 25 &#176;C. For illuminati...

<ol>
	<li>Wang, X., Huang, T., Bu, G., Xu, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dysregulation+of+protein+trafficking+in+neurodegeneration.">Dysregulation of protein trafficking in neurodegeneration.</a> Molecular Neurodegeneration. 9. 9, 31 (2014).</li><li>Schopf, K., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Membrane+protein+trafficking+in+Drosophila+photoreceptor+cells.">Membrane protein trafficking in Drosophila photoreceptor cells.</a> European Journal of Cell Biology. 96 (5), 391-401 (2017).</li><li>Hardie, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+photoreceptor+array+of+the+dipteran+retina.">The photoreceptor array of the dipteran retina.</a> Trends in Neurosciences. 9, 419-423 (1986).</li><li>Wang, T., Montell, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phototransduction+and+retinal+degeneration+in+Drosophila.">Phototransduction and retinal degeneration in Drosophila.</a> Pfl&#252;gers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology. 454 (5), 821-847 (2007).</li><li>Xiong, B., Bellen, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rhodopsin+homeostasis+and+retinal+degeneration:+lessons+from+the+fly.">Rhodopsin homeostasis and retinal degeneration: lessons from the fly.</a> Trends in Neurosciences. 36 (11), 652-660 (2013).</li><li>B&#228;hner, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Light-regulated+subcellular+translocation+of+Drosophila+TRPL+channels+induces+long-term+adaptation+and+modifies+the+light-induced+current.">Light-regulated subcellular translocation of Drosophila TRPL channels induces long-term adaptation and modifies the light-induced current.</a> Neuron. 34 (1), 83-93 (2002).</li><li>Cronin, M. A., Lieu, M. -. H., Tsunoda, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+stages+of+light-dependent+TRPL-channel+translocation+in+Drosophila+photoreceptors.">Two stages of light-dependent TRPL-channel translocation in Drosophila photoreceptors.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 119, 2935-2944 (2006).</li><li>Meyer, N., Joel-Almagor, T., Frechter, S., Minke, B., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Subcellular+translocation+of+the+eGFP-tagged+TRPL+channel+in+Drosophila+photoreceptors+requires+activation+of+the+phototransduction+cascade.">Subcellular translocation of the eGFP-tagged TRPL channel in Drosophila photoreceptors requires activation of the phototransduction cascade.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 119, 2592-2603 (2006).</li><li>Oberegelsbacher, C., Schneidler, C., Voolstra, O., Cerny, A., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Drosophila+TRPL+ion+channel+shares+a+Rab-dependent+translocation+pathway+with+rhodopsin.">The Drosophila TRPL ion channel shares a Rab-dependent translocation pathway with rhodopsin.</a> European Journal of Cell Biology. 90 (8), 620-630 (2011).</li><li>Wagner, K., Smylla, T. K., Lampe, M., Krieg, J., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phospholipase+D+and+retromer+promote+recycling+of+TRPL+ion+channel+via+the+endoplasmic+reticulum.">Phospholipase D and retromer promote recycling of TRPL ion channel via the endoplasmic reticulum.</a> Traffic. , (2021).</li><li>Franceschini, N., Kirschfeld, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Les+ph&#233;nom&#233;nes+de+pseudopupille+dans+l'oeil+compose+de+Drosophila.">Les ph&#233;nom&#233;nes de pseudopupille dans l'oeil compose de Drosophila.</a> Kybernetik. 9 (5), 159-182 (1971).</li><li>Pichaud, F., Desplan, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+visualization+approach+for+identifying+mutations+that+affect+differentiation+and+organization+of+the+Drosophila+ommatidia.">A new visualization approach for identifying mutations that affect differentiation and organization of the Drosophila ommatidia.</a> Development. 128 (6), 815-826 (2001).</li><li>Smylla, T. K., Wagner, K., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Application+of+fluorescent+proteins+for+functional+dissection+of+the+Drosophila+visual+system.">Application of fluorescent proteins for functional dissection of the Drosophila visual system.</a> International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22 (16), (2021).</li><li>Meyer, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanisms+of+the+light-dependent+translocation+of+the+ion+channel+TRPL+in+the+photoreceptors+of+Drosophila+melanogaster:+Dissertation+for+obtaining+the+academic+degree+Dr.+rer.+nat.">Mechanisms of the light-dependent translocation of the ion channel TRPL in the photoreceptors of Drosophila melanogaster: Dissertation for obtaining the academic degree Dr. rer. nat.</a> University of Karlsruhe (TH). , (2005).</li><li>Meyer, N., Oberegelsbacher, C., D&#252;rr, T. D., Sch&#228;fer, A., Huber, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+eGFP-based+genetic+screen+for+defects+in+light-triggered+subcelluar+translocation+of+the+Drosophila+photoreceptor+channel+TRPL.">An eGFP-based genetic screen for defects in light-triggered subcelluar translocation of the Drosophila photoreceptor channel TRPL.</a> Fly. 2 (1), 36-46 (2008).</li><li>Zheng, L., Carthew, R. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lola+regulates+cell+fate+by+antagonizing+Notch+induction+in+the+Drosophila+eye.">Lola regulates cell fate by antagonizing Notch induction in the Drosophila eye.</a> Mechanisms of Development. 125 (1-2), 18-29 (2008).</li><li>Hibbard, K. L., O'Tousa, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+role+for+the+cytoplasmic+DEAD+box+helicase+Dbp21E2+in+rhodopsin+maturation+and+photoreceptor+viability.">A role for the cytoplasmic DEAD box helicase Dbp21E2 in rhodopsin maturation and photoreceptor viability.</a> Journal of Neurogenetics. 26 (2), 177-188 (2012).</li><li>Huang, Y., Xie, J., Wang, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Fluorescence-based+genetic+screen+to+study+retinal+degeneration+in+Drosophila.">A Fluorescence-based genetic screen to study retinal degeneration in Drosophila.</a> PloS One. 10 (12), 0144925 (2015).</li><li>Zhao, H., Wang, J., Wang, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+V-ATPase+V1+subunit+A1+is+required+for+rhodopsin+anterograde+trafficking+in+Drosophila.">The V-ATPase V1 subunit A1 is required for rhodopsin anterograde trafficking in Drosophila.</a> Molecular Biology of the Cell. 29 (13), 1640-1651 (2018).</li><li>Xiong, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ER+complex+proteins+are+required+for+rhodopsin+biosynthesis+and+photoreceptor+survival+in+Drosophila+and+mice.">ER complex proteins are required for rhodopsin biosynthesis and photoreceptor survival in Drosophila and mice.</a> Cell Death and Differentiation. 27 (2), 646-661 (2020).</li><li>Zhao, H., Wang, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PE+homeostasis+rebalanced+through+mitochondria-ER+lipid+exchange+prevents+retinal+degeneration+in+Drosophila.">PE homeostasis rebalanced through mitochondria-ER lipid exchange prevents retinal degeneration in Drosophila.</a> PLoS Genetics. 16 (10), 1009070 (2020).</li><li>Cerny, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+GTP-+and+phospholipid-binding+protein+TTD14+regulates+trafficking+of+the+TRPL+ion+channel+in+Drosophila+photoreceptor+cells.">The GTP- and phospholipid-binding protein TTD14 regulates trafficking of the TRPL ion channel in Drosophila photoreceptor cells.</a> PLoS Genetics. 11 (10), 1005578 (2015).</li><li>Richter, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+and+functional+analyses+of+TRP+ion+channels+in+the+photoreceptor+cells+of+Drosophila+melanogaster:+Dissertation+for+obtaining+the+academic+degree+Dr.+rer,+nat.">Structural and functional analyses of TRP ion channels in the photoreceptor cells of Drosophila melanogaster: Dissertation for obtaining the academic degree Dr. rer, nat.</a> University of Karlsruhe (TH). , (2007).</li><li>Gambis, A., Dourlen, P., Steller, H., Mollereau, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-color+in+vivo+imaging+of+photoreceptor+apoptosis+and+development+in+Drosophila.">Two-color in vivo imaging of photoreceptor apoptosis and development in Drosophila.</a> Developmental Biology. 351 (1), 128-134 (2011).</li><li>Hardie, R. C., Liu, C. -. H., Randall, A. S., Sengupta, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+tracking+of+phosphoinositides+in+Drosophila+photoreceptors.">In vivo tracking of phosphoinositides in Drosophila photoreceptors.</a> Journal of Cell Science. 128 (23), 4328-4340 (2015).</li><li>Chakrabarti, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+dPIP5K+dependent+pool+of+phosphatidylinositol+4,5+bisphosphate+(PIP2)+is+required+for+G-protein+coupled+signal+transduction+in+Drosophila+photoreceptors.">A dPIP5K dependent pool of phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) is required for G-protein coupled signal transduction in Drosophila photoreceptors.</a> PLoS Genetics. 11 (1), 1004948 (2015).</li></ol>

The applicability of fluorescence proteins and simplicity of screening by DPP imaging and retinal water immersion microscopy has been proven to be successful by many groups12. Strategies similar to the ones presented here have been used in several genetic screens to detect defects in rhodopsin expression levels, homeostasis, retinal organization, or cellular integrity with the help of Rh1::eGFP17,18,19<su...

By delivering and removing proteins to and from the plasma membrane, membrane protein trafficking in neurons controls the plasma membrane equipment with receptors as well as ion channels and, as a result, regulates neuronal function. Misregulation or defects in protein trafficking typically have detrimental effects on cells and result in neuronal degeneration. In humans, this may cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer&#39;s and Parkinson&#39;s disease or Retinitis pigmentosa1. Photoreceptors in the compound eye of Drosophila melanogaster have become an in vivo model system for studying membrane protein trafficking2.&#160;This is not only due to the genetic versatility of Drosophila that allows effective genetic screens, but also because all essential components of the light-absorbing photoreceptor membrane are characterized in great detail and efficient microscopic techniques are available that can be applied to the fly eye. These techniques are the focus of this article.
In Drosophila photoreceptor cells, the apical plasma membrane forms a densely packed stack of microvilli along one side of the cell, termed rhabdomere. The rhabdomeres of photoreceptor cells R1-6 are arranged in a characteristic trapezoidal pattern while photoreceptor cells R7 and R8 form a single rhabdomere in the center of this trapezoid3. Membrane protein trafficking is needed for a regulated turnover of rhabdomeral membrane proteins such as rhodopsin and the light-activated TRP (transient receptor potential) and TRPL (TRP-like) ion channels to assure the proper amount of these phototransduction proteins in the rhabdomere. Photoreceptor membrane proteins are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and transported via the Golgi apparatus to the rhabdomere. Following activation of rhodopsin by light, a rhodopsin molecule can either become inactivated by absorption of a second photon or can be removed from the rhabdomere by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Endocytosed rhodopsin either becomes degraded in the lysosome or is recycled back to the rhabdomere4,5. The ion channel TRPL is also internalized following activation of the phototransduction cascade and undergoes a light-dependent translocation between the rhabdomere (where it is located when flies are kept in the dark) and an ER-enriched storage compartment in the cell body (to which it is transported within several hours upon illumination)6,7,8,9,10. In contrast to endocytosed rhodopsin, only small amounts of TRPL are degraded via the endolysosomal pathway, and the majority is stored intracellularly instead and recycled back to the rhabdomere upon dark adaptation6. TRPL can thus be used for analyzing light-triggered trafficking of plasma membrane proteins. Drosophila photoreceptor cells are also employed for studying neuronal degeneration. Photoreceptor cell degeneration is frequently determined by assessing the structure of rhabdomeres, which disintegrate as a result of degenerative processes5.
In order to study the subcellular localization of TRPL and rhodopsin in photoreceptor cells or photoreceptor cell degeneration, two fluorescence microscopy methods that differ with respect to analysis speed and resolution have been applied here. A very fast, non-invasive method that can be used for genetic screens but with a limited spatial resolution is the detection of fluorescence in the deep pseudopupil (DPP). The DPP is an optical phenomenon of arthropod compound eyes whose geometric origin has been explained in detail by Franceschini and Kirschfeld in 197111. In short, on several optical planes below the retina overlay-images of rhabdomeres from adjacent ommatidia can be observed. On a focal plane through the center of the eye&#39;s curvature, these superimposed projections form an image that resembles the trapezoidal layout of rhabdomeres in a single ommatidium only orders of magnitude larger. This phenomenon can also be observed independently of exogenous expression of fluorescence proteins (e.g. TRPL::eGFP8), which nonetheless make the DPP easier to detect (Figure&#160;1A-A&#39;&#39;)12. A second non-invasive method is water immersion microscopy that relies on imaging fluorescently tagged proteins after optically neutralizing the eyes&#39; dioptric apparatus with water (Figure&#160;1B-C&#39;&#39;)12. Using the water immersion method, the relative amount of TRPL::eGFP in the rhabdomeres or cell body can be assessed quantitatively for individual photoreceptor cells. Furthermore, non-translocating fluorescence-tagged proteins can be utilized to evaluate rhabdomeral integrity and to determine the time course of a potential degeneration in a quantitative manner, as described here.
While recordings of the DPP are by far the easiest and fastest of these methods to perform, the spatial resolution of data they generate is limited. In addition, there are numerous reasons why a DPP may be absent, which are not necessarily discernible by DPP imaging itself. Since the DPP represents a summation of several ommatidia, information about individual cells is lost. Thus, low-resolution DPP imaging serves an important function in screening large numbers of flies but should generally be followed by higher resolution recordings by way of water immersion microscopy. Water immersion micrographs allow interpretations about individual cells, developmental defects, eye morphology, protein mislocalization or retinal degeneration as well as quantification of these effects. This Protocol describes these two techniques in detail.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/63375/63375fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Overview of microscopy variations for the Drosophila eye presented in this Protocol. Schematic representations and exemplary micrographs of (A-A&#39;&#39;) fluorescent deep pseudopupil (DPP) imaging, (B-B&#39;&#39;) lethal water immersion microscopy of fluorescent rhabdomeres, and (C-C&#39;&#39;) non-lethal water drop microscopy of fluorescent rhabdomeres. Scale bar (A&#39;&#39;): 100 &#181;m. Scale bars (B&#39;&#39;-C&#39;&#39;): 10 &#181;m. The figure has been modified from reference13. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/63375/63375fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-One</td>
			<td>188271</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 anaesthesia fly pad</td>
			<td>Flystuff</td>
			<td>59-172</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cold light lamp (KL 1500 LCD)</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fiji/ImageJ</td>
			<td>NIH</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence microscope with UV lamp, camera, filter set and software (AxioImager.Z1m, Axiocam 530 mono, 38 HE, ZEN2 blue edition)</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescent tube (Lumilux T8, L 30W/840, 4000 K, G13) 
			[1750 Lux, Ee470nm = 298 &#181;W cm-2, Ee590nm = 215 &#181;W cm-2] 
			and [760 Lux, Ee470nm = 173 &#181;W cm-2, Ee590nm = 147 &#181;W cm-2]</td>
			<td>Osram</td>
			<td>4050300518039</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laboratory pipette (20-200 &#181;L)</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Object slide</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>0656.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri dish (94 mm)</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-One</td>
			<td>633102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette tips (200 &#181;L)</td>
			<td>Labsolute</td>
			<td>7695844</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasticine (Blu-Tack)</td>
			<td>Bostik</td>
			<td>30811745</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereo microscope (SMZ445)</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereo microscope with UV lamp, camera, filer set and software (MZ16F, MC170 HD, GFP3, LAS 4.12)</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

studying membrane protein trafficking in drosophila photoreceptor cells using egfp-tagged proteins

Membrane protein trafficking regulates the incorporation and removal of receptors and ion channels into the plasma membrane. This process is fundamentally important for cell function and cell integrity of neurons. Drosophila photoreceptor cells have become a model for studying membrane protein trafficking. Besides rhodopsin, which upon illumination becomes internalized from the photoreceptor membrane and is degraded, the transient receptor potential-like (TRPL) ion channel in Drosophila exhibits a light-dependent translocation between the rhabdomeral photoreceptor membrane (where it is located in the dark) and the photoreceptor cell body (to which it is transported upon illumination). This intracellular transport of TRPL can be studied in a simple and non-invasive way by expressing eGFP-tagged TRPL in photoreceptor cells. The eGFP fluorescence can then be observed either in the deep pseudopupil or by water immersion microscopy. These methods allow detection of fluorescence in the intact eye and are therefore useful for high-throughput assays and genetic screens for Drosophila mutants defective in TRPL translocation. Here, the preparation of flies, the microscopic techniques, as well as quantification methods used to study this light-triggered translocation of TRPL are explained in detail. These methods can be applied also for trafficking studies on other Drosophila photoreceptor proteins, for example, rhodopsin. In addition, by using eGFP-tagged rhabdomeral proteins, these methods can be used to assess the degeneration of photoreceptor cells.

Transgenic Drosophila flies expressing a TRPL::eGFP fusion protein under the control of the rhodopsin 1 promoter have been generated. In these flies, TRPL::eGFP is expressed in photoreceptor cells R1-6 of the compound eye and displays an illumination-dependent localization. When flies are kept in the dark, TRPL::eGFP is incorporated into the outer rhabdomeres. After illumination for several hours, TRPL translocates into the cell body where it is stored in an ER-enriched compartment.8...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Studying Membrane Protein Trafficking in Drosophila Photoreceptor Cells Using eGFP-Tagged Proteins at JoVE.com

Studying Membrane Protein Trafficking in Drosophila Photoreceptor Cells Using eGFP-Tagged Proteins

Here, non-invasive methods are described for localization of photoreceptor membrane proteins and assessment of retinal degeneration in the Drosophila compound eye using eGFP fluorescence.

Studying Membrane Protein Trafficking in Drosophila Photoreceptor Cells Using eGFP-Tagged Proteins

Membrane protein trafficking regulates the incorporation and removal of receptors and ion channels into the plasma membrane. This process is fundamentally ...

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