Some Mutations Affecting Neural or Muscular Tissues Alter the Physiological Components of the Electroretinogram in Drosophila

Abstract

Mutants displaying generalized behavioral defects and one mutant having an enzyme deficiency were examined for electroretinogram (ERG) defects. Mutations in nine genes were examined that cause ERG defects. Two, para^ts4 and slrp^D, cause reversibly temperature dependent loss of the off-transients in the ERG. stn^C and Tyr-2 cause loss of the on and off-transients. The transient defect in Tyr-2 mapped close to a site shown to affect tyrosinase activity in this strain. Mutations bas, rex and sesD delay recovery from the prolonged depolarization afterpotential. The visual defects of mutations elav^jl and nbA^EE171 are not complemented by lethal mutations, which, presumably, affect other tissues.

Key Words:

• electroretinogram
• temperature-sensitive mutants
• behavioral mutants
• visual defects

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Quentin Pye

Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.