The systematic identification of cytoskeletal genes required for Drosophila melanogaster muscle maintenance

Abstract

Animal muscles must maintain their function and structure while bearing substantial mechanical loads. How muscles withstand persistent mechanical strain is presently not well understood. Understanding the mechanisms by which tissues maintain their complex architecture is a key goal of cell biology. This dataset represents a systematic screen through the Drosophila melanogaster cytoskeleton to identify genes that are required to maintain tissue, specifically muscle, architecture. Using RNA interference (RNAi), we knocked down 238 genes in Drosophila and assayed for climbing ability with a robust behavioural assay. Here we present the summary of the screen and provide the complete results of the assays. We have uncovered a number of novel hits that would reward further study. The data are easy to use: the raw data are provided to allow researchers to perform their own analysis and analysed results are given indicating whether or not the genes are required for muscle maintenance. This dataset will allow other researchers to identify candidate genes for more detailed study and lead to better understanding of muscle maintenance.