Micro-galaxy of Life

The picture shows Drosophila oocytes at different developmental stages nested next to the fruit fly gut. Dissected preparations were labeled with antibody against the drosophila Attractin homolog (magenta color) as well as with DAPI dye to visualize all nuclei (cyan color). The mammalian transmembrane protein Attractin is a multifunctional protein with roles in oocyte maturation, energy homeostasis, appetite regulation, immune responses and pigmentation. Its loss of function has been linked to degeneration of the nervous system and testis, type 2 diabetes and sleep disorders. Four iterations of overlayed images acquired with confocal microscopy were merged together to look like a galaxy. The results reveal that, like in mammals, the fruit fly Attractin homologous protein is also expressed in oocytes and guts.