GABA-specific RNAi.

<p>(<b>A</b>) P<i>unc-47</i> (GABA-specific) RNAi strain expressing ubiquitous, nuclear-localized GFP and GABA mCherry after control or <i>GFP</i> RNAi feeding. Arrows mark GABA neurons with nuclear GFP. Stars mark GABA neuron cell bodies. <i>GFP</i> RNAi eliminates GFP in GABA cells, while GFP remains in other cell types. In control RNAi animals, GFP in GABA neurons is reduced relative to other cells due to increased transgene silencing in these neurons (see text). Scale bars = 5 µm. (<b>B</b>) Quantification of the percent of GABA cell bodies with nuclear-localized GFP under control or <i>GFP</i> RNAi conditions. Error bars are SEM, n = 10 worms, *** p<0.0001 (<b>C</b>) Locomotion behaviors in response to RNAi against genes known to function in GABA neurotransmission, in animals sensitive to RNAi in all cells (<i>lin-15B; eri-1</i>) and in the GABA-specific strain (XE1375). In GABA-specific RNAi strain, a GABA-specific shrinker phenotype is observed when pre- but not post-synaptic GABA signaling genes are targeted. (<b>D</b>) Percent of paralyzed animals after 100 min of acute exposure to 750 µM aldicarb. Error bars are SEM, n = 3 trials of ∼25 animals each, ** p = 0.0023, *** p≤0.0003. (<b>E</b>) GABA commissures after control or <i>unc-70</i> RNAi. In <i>unc-70</i> RNAi, the axon has broken and initiated a regenerative growth cone (arrow), and the dorsal nerve cord (DNC) has degenerated. Scale bars = 10 µm.