α-Synuclein E46K Mutation and Involvement of Oxidative Stress in a Drosophila Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Figure 2

Overexpression of the E46K mutant human α-synuclein gene leads to the irregular surface morphology of the eye structures in transgenic flies. Scanning electron micrographs of ommatidial structures in GMR-Gal4::UAS-SNCA^E46K flies show degeneration of retinal neurons which is evident by the irregular organization of ommatidia, extra and/or absence of bristles. (a) GMR/+, (b) GMR/SNCA^WT, and (c) GMR/SNCA^E46K. indicate an irregular shape of ommatidium; the arrow represents the absence of bristle; and the arrowhead represents extra bristles. The ImageJ FLEYE tool illustrates a higher rate of ommatidial irregularity in SNCA^E46K expressing flies (d) that accounts for more severe neuronal degeneration in SNCA^E46K expressing flies compared to that seen in the SNCA^WT (PPi = probability parameter for irregularity). Scale bar, 20 μm. Five samples of each genotype were analyzed.

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