Single Cell RNA Sequencing of the AdultDrosophilaEye Reveals Distinct Clusters and Novel Marker Genes for All Major Cell Types

Abstract

AbstractThe adultDrosophilaeye is a powerful model system for phototransduction and neurodegeneration research. However, single cell resolution transcriptomic data are lacking for this tissue. We present single cell RNA-seq data on 1-day male and female, 3-day and 7-day old male adult eyes, covering early to mature adult eyes. All major cell types, including photoreceptors, cone and pigment cells in the adult eye were captured and identified. Our data sets identified novel cell type specific marker genes, some of which were validatedin vivo. R7 and R8 photoreceptors form clusters that reflect their specificRhodopsinexpression and the specificRhodopsinexpression by each R7 and R8 cluster is the major determinant to their clustering. The transcriptomic data presented in this report will facilitate a deeper mechanistic understanding of the adult fly eye as a model system.