Generation and validation of pX-UASTattB for dose-dependent misexpression studies in Drosophila

The GAL4-UAS binary gene expression system has benefited genetic studies tremendously. However, tools for effective control over the expression levels of transgenes are largely limited. We report a new series pUASTattB-based plasmids. These plasmids preserve the features of pUASTattB but contain a varying number of UAS sites. The expression levels and biological outcomes of a transgene showed a dosage-dependency with the number of UAS sites when using Dscam1 as a transgene and axon arborization of Drosophila sensory neurons as a biological function. Our new plasmids provide novel and useful tools for Drosophila genetic studies.