Affiliations: 1) Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; 2) Drosophila Genomics Resource Center, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Keywords: r. sensory cell development; e. neuronal morphogenesis
Drosophila Eyes Shut (EYS) is responsible for creating and filling the inter-rhabdomeral space (IRS), a unique extracellular matrix that spatially separates the apical rhabdomeres of photoreceptors in each ommatidium, a unique adaptation in higher order Diptera. This organization represents an important step in terminal differentiation of photoreceptors as well as establishing a functional visual system in Drosophila. A major goal of our lab is to identify and characterize the genes and protein products necessary for this adaptation. We have taken two approaches towards this goal. First, we carried out an RNAi screen to identify transcription factors necessary for proper rhabdomere and IRS formation. Second, we have identified interactors with EYS through the use of proximity labeling and mass spectrometry. We will present results of both screens and how these newly identified genes contribute to the differentiation and organization of photoreceptors in insects.