Figure 2

Different Tc-importin α1 RNAi phenotypes in the SB and black strains. (A, B, F, G) Quantification of affected cuticle structures (shaded bars, left part of the panels) and frequency of phenotype classes (white bars, right part of the panels). Note that these represent two separate analyses of the same set of RNAi cuticles and that not all cuticles could be assigned to a class. (A, B) Knock-down of Tc-importin α1 in the SB strain using two non-overlapping fragments (Tc-importin α1 a (A) or Tc-importin α1 b (B)) results in a similar pleiotropic cuticle phenotype. Note that the loss of the labrum (white asterisk in A) is due to loss of the entire head (black asterisk) while a “labrum only” phenotype was not observed. (C) Lateral view of a cuticle showing the abdomen inside-out phenotype (“Abd i-o” class) where the posteriormost abdominal segments are involuted into the abdomen (black arrow). (D) Lateral view of a headless cuticle which lacks most anterior structures up to the third thoracic segment (T3). (E) Ventro-lateral view of a cuticle showing a mild dorsal cuticle defect. (F, G) The knock-down of Tc-importin α1 in the black strain using the same non-overlapping fragments resulted in about 60% of the examined cuticles in a specific loss (I, J) or deformation (H) of the labrum (“Only Lr” class). (H) Lateral view of a cuticle showing a deformed labrum (black arrowhead). (I, J) Dorsal (I) and lateral (J) views of cuticles lacking the labrum (arrowhead). (K) Wild-type larval cuticle (Lr is marked in blue). Lr labrum, Head b.p. Head bristle pattern, At antennae, Gnath. app. gnathal appendages, T1-3 thoracic segment 1–3, A1-8 abdominal segments 1–8, Dorsal cut. def. dorsal cuticle defect, Abd. i-o abdomen inside-out.