UASt regulatory sequences drive expression of a membrane-anchored fusion protein encoding the two subunits of the bursicon heterodimer (Pburs followed by Burs) in a single protein. The fusion protein is tagged at the N-terminal end with mCherry, and then consists of a membrane tethering signal (Tag:TM(hTNF)), the Pburs coding region and the Burs coding region.
Expression of Burs::PbursScer\UAS.T:Hsap\TM-TNF,T:Disc\RFP-mCherry driven by Scer\GAL4Act5C.PI or Scer\GAL4rk.pan results in a significant decrease in survival through eclosion (less than 20% or 40% survive, respectively); escapers fail to expand their wings (100%). When expression is driven by Scer\GAL4CCAP.PI, flies do not have reduced survival but have wing expansion defects; when driven by Scer\GAL4how-24B, Scer\GAL4Toll-6-D42, Scer\GAL4ap-md544, Scer\GAL4Mef2.PR or Scer\GAL4Act88F.1.3 flies have both significantly reduced survival (survival of around 20%, 80%, 10%, 80%, 10%) and escapers have wing expansion defects (100%, 30%, 100%, 35%, 100%).