Genome-wide phenotypic RNAi screen in the Drosophila wing: global parameters

We have screened a collection of UAS-RNAi lines targeting 10,920 Drosophila protein-coding genes for phenotypes in the adult wing. We identified 3653 genes (33%) whose knockdown causes either larval/pupal lethality or a mutant phenotype affecting the formation of a normal wing. The most frequent phenotypes consist of changes in wing size, vein differentiation, and patterning, defects in the wing margin and in the apposition of the dorsal and ventral wing surfaces. We also defined 16 functional categories encompassing the most relevant aspect of each protein function and assigned each Drosophila gene to one of these functional groups. This allowed us to identify which mutant phenotypes are enriched within each functional group. Finally, we used previously published gene expression datasets to determine which genes are or are not expressed in the wing disc. Integrating expression, phenotypic and molecular information offers considerable precision to identify the relevant genes affecting wing formation and the biological processes regulated by them.

Automated summary

A study was conducted on a group of UAS-RNAi lines targeting Drosophila genes, identifying a significant number of genes that affect wing formation in fruit flies, resulting in changes in wing size, vein differentiation, wing margin defects, and dorsal-ventral wing surface apposition. Categorizing genes into functional groups helped in determining enriched mutant phenotypes within each group. Integrating expression, phenotypic, and molecular information provided precision in identifying genes affecting wing formation and regulated biological processes.