AUTHOR=Ferreiro María José , Pérez Coralia , Marchesano Mariana , Ruiz Santiago , Caputi Angel , Aguilera Pedro , Barrio Rosa , Cantera Rafael 

TITLE=Drosophila melanogaster White Mutant w1118 Undergo Retinal Degeneration

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2017.00732

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2017.00732

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=<p>Key scientific discoveries have resulted from genetic studies of <italic>Drosophila melanogaster</italic>, using a multitude of transgenic fly strains, the majority of which are constructed in a genetic background containing mutations in the <italic>white</italic> gene. Here we report that <italic>white</italic> mutant flies from <italic>w</italic><sup><italic>1118</italic></sup> strain undergo retinal degeneration. We observed also that <italic>w</italic><sup><italic>1118</italic></sup> mutants have progressive loss of climbing ability, shortened life span, as well as impaired resistance to various forms of stress. Retinal degeneration was abolished by transgenic expression of <italic>mini-white</italic><sup>+</sup> in the <italic>white</italic> null background <italic>w</italic><sup><italic>1118</italic></sup>. We conclude that beyond the classical eye-color phenotype, mutations in <italic>Drosophila white</italic> gene could impair several biological functions affecting parameters like mobility, life span and stress tolerance. Consequently, we suggest caution and attentiveness during the interpretation of old experiments employing <italic>white</italic> mutant flies and when planning new ones, especially within the research field of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. We also encourage that the use of <italic>w</italic><sup><italic>1118</italic></sup> strain as a wild-type control should be avoided.</p>