The single-cell setup for Axon Axoporator 800A Electroporator (Molecular Devices) was wired as described previously (Bestman et al., 2006; Haas et al., 2001). An electrode with a 1 μm opening (20–50 MΩ resistance) was pulled using a micropipette puller (Model P-97, Sutter Instrument) and back filled with 1 mM Dextran Alex 488 dye (Invitrogen).

The retinal region of interest was found using an upright compound fluorescent Cabozantinib manufacturer microscope equipped with 40× water objective (NA = 0.8). When the electrode tip touched the desired cell, a negative voltage square pulse was applied (200 Hz, 500 ms train duration, 2 ms pulse duration, 5V). A single retina RPC could be visualized instantly in green upon a successful electroporation. The electrode stayed for at least 20 s before slow and careful withdrawal to avoid cell damage. Embryos were then removed and raised in embryo medium for further analysis. The MAZe line was crossed with the UAS-Kaede line. Embryos were collected and kept at 28°C. At 8 hpf, a brief heat shock was applied at 39°C for 1 min. After 12 hr, the heat-shocked embryos were screened on an upright fluorescent microscope and the retinas with Kaede-expressing cells were selected. At 24, 32, or 48 hpf, embryos were embedded in 3% methylcellulose (Sigma)

and the green clones were found using a 60× water objective (NA = 1.3) on the spinning-disc microscope (Perkin Elmer). Single cells from the green clones were then randomly targeted and photoconverted by applying a 5 s train of 405 nm laser pulses. H2B-GFP transgenic Lumacaftor purchase or wild-type embryos with fluorescent protein mRNA injection at the one-cell stage were used as donors.

At the blastula stage (4 hpf), the embryos were dechorionated by 0.3 mg/ml pronase and positioned in the custom-made transplantation mold. Less than five donor cells were transplanted into the animal pole of host embryos, where the cells are expected to develop into retina cells (Kimmel et al., 1990). The host embryos were then recovered at 32°C Bumetanide for 2 hr before being returned to 28.5°C and screened on an upright fluorescent microscope at 24 hpf to select those with one- or two-cell retinal clones. Embryos at desired developmental stages were collected and embedded in 3% methylcellulose with the proper orientation. Retina clones or entire retinas were imaged under 40× oil (NA = 1.3) or 60× silicon (NA = 1.35) objectives on the inverted laser-scanning confocal microscope (Olymus FV1000). All the images were acquired by the comparable setting (1,024 × 1,024 resolution, 10 μs/pixel scanning speed, 1–1.2 μm optical section). Image analysis was performed using ImageJ or Volocity software (Improvision). Dechorionated embryos were collected at desired time points, such as 24 or 32 hpf. After screening and photoconversion, embryos were embedded in 1% low-melting agarose in the customer-made imaging dish.