Glued participates in distinct microtubule-based activities in Drosophila eye development Available to Purchase

A C-terminal truncation of Glued, the Drosophila homolog of the cytoplasmic dynein activating protein, dynactin, results in a severe and complex retinal phenotype, including a roughening of the facet array, malformation of the photosensitive rhabdomeres, and a general deficit and disorder of retinal cells. We have characterized the developmental phenotype in Glued¹ and found defects in multiple stages of eye development, including mitosis, nuclear migration, cell fate determination, rhabdomere morphogenesis and cell death. Transgenic flies that express dominant negative Glued under heat-shock control reproduce distinct features of the original Glued¹ phenotype depending on the stage of development. The multiple phenotypes effected by truncated Glued point to the multiple roles served by dynactin/dynein during eye development.