<i>dPNUTS</i> loss of function results in larval growth arrest and defective tissue development.

A) Genomic region showing dPNUTS locus flanked by dribble and ninaA. Coding regions of the genes is represented by shading. dPNUTS produces two transcripts dPNUTS and dPNUTS-S. ninaA is a non-essential gene that is expressed solely in the eye to regulate rhodopsin synthesis [75], [76]. dPNUTSKG572 contains a P element insertion in an untranslated region of dPNUTS. The extent of deletions in dPNUTS9B and dPNUTS13B resulting from imprecise excision of this element is indicated, together with the genomic sequence of the breakpoints. The dPNUTS genomic rescue construct, which contains the coding region of ninaA, and the 5′ end of dribble, is indicated. B) Levels of dPNUTS and dPNUTS-S transcripts produced in homozygous dPNUTSexKG, dPNUTSKG572, dPNUTS9B and dPNUTS13B larvae, as determined by qRT-PCR. dPNUTSeexKG is a revertant strain in which the P element had precisely excised. C) Images of homozygous mutant and control (heterozygous sibling) larvae at different time points after egg laying as indicated. D) Graph showing percentage of surviving larvae over time for each genotype, as indicated. E) Images of adult female eyes. Homozygous dPNUTS mutant eyes are smaller than controls (isogenic w1118 strain), but are able to form some facets, unlike eyes expressing the proapototic gene hid under GMR control.