Partial loss of Fer2 expression impairs the viability of PAM neurons in aging flies.

Quantification of PAM neurons in the flies of different genotypes detected by anti-TH staining at indicated ages. Box boundaries are the 25th and 75th percentiles, the horizontal line across the box is the median, and the whiskers are the lowest and highest values that are not outliers. The open circles represent outliers and closed circles are extreme cases. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, *** p<0.001, comparing Fer2²/+ and Fer2² at the same age (A), or between miR-Fer2-N and miR-Fer2-4/-5 at the same age (B-D). Sample sizes are indicated in the Materials and Methods. (A) PAM neurons in Fer2² and the control (Fer2²/+). (B) Constitutive expression of miR Fer2s by Fer2-GAL4. (C) Constitutive expression of miR Fer2s by R58E02-GAL4. (D) Adult-specific Fer2 knockdown and the control. Fer2-GAL4, tub-gal80^ts: control without UAS-transgene.