Scer\GAL4^mir-8-NP5247-mediated expression of two copies of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} results in an expansion of the L3 larval neuroepithelium and ectopic neuroblasts scattered throughout the enlarged neuroepithelium.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^futsch-C380 results in an enhanced ability of the neuromuscular to respond to intermediate K[+] stimulation by producing an increase in the number of "ghost boutons" (axon terminal extensions with synaptic vesicles but lacking active zones and postsynaptic structures) per neuromuscular junction.

Total bouton number at the neuromuscular junction is significantly decreased compared to controls in larvae expressing mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^futsch-C380.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^futsch-C380 results in an enhanced ability of the neuromuscular to respond to intermediate K[+] stimulation by producing an increase in the number of "ghost boutons" (axon terminal extensions with synaptic vesicles but lacking active zones and postsynaptic structures) per neuromuscular junction.

Total bouton number at the neuromuscular junction is significantly decreased compared to controls in larvae expressing Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^futsch-C380.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} along the dorsal midline using Scer\GAL4^pnr-MD237 results in a decrease in A6 segment pigmentation in female flies. Only regions proximal to the dorsal midline, in the region of Scer\GAL4^pnr-MD237 expression, are affected, whereas the central region and lateral edges remain pigmented. This phenotype is seen in flies raised at either 25[o]C or 29[o]C. No alteration to the pigmentation pattern is seen in males.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} along the dorsal midline using Scer\GAL4^pnr-MD237 results in a decrease in A6 segment pigmentation in female flies. Only regions proximal to the dorsal midline, in the region of Scer\GAL4^pnr-MD237 expression, are affected, whereas the central region and lateral edges remain pigmented. This phenotype is seen in flies raised at either 25[o]C or 29[o]C. No alteration to the pigmentation pattern is seen in males.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF has no effect on eye morphology.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} in muscles under the control of Scer\GAL4^how-24B has no effect on viability.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of the ubiquitous driver Scer\GAL4^αTub84B.PL results in a malformed third leg phenotype. This phenotype is enhanced in a mir-8^Δ2/+ background.

Flies expressing mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of the leg specific driver Scer\GAL4^Dll.PU in a mir-8^Δ2 background appear indistinguishable from controls.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of the ubiquitous driver Scer\GAL4^αTub84B.PL results in a reduction in the size and complexity of the muscle 6/7 neuromuscular junction. A reduced number of boutons is seen, along with reduced expansion of the presynaptic terminal arbor and fewer axonal branches. This phenotype is enhanced in a mir-8^Δ2/+ background.

Expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of the ubiquitous driver Scer\GAL4^how-24B results in a reduction in the size and complexity of the muscle 6/7 neuromuscular junction. A reduced number of boutons is seen, along with reduced expansion of the presynaptic terminal arbor and fewer axonal branches. An increase in mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} copy number exacerbates the phenotype.

Pan-neuronal expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav.PLu (in either a wild type or mir-8^Δ2/+ background) does not produce any detectable neuromuscular junction phenotypes.

Co-expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} fully suppresses the rough eye phenotype seen when mir-8^Scer\UAS.cLa is expressed under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF.

Co-expression of mir-8^{sponge.Scer\UAS.T:Avic\GFP-EGFP} fully suppresses the embryonic lethality seen when mir-8^Scer\UAS.cLa is expressed in muscles under the control of Scer\GAL4^how-24B. The resulting larvae do not exhibit any detectable neuromuscular junction defects.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF has no effect on eye morphology.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} in muscles under the control of Scer\GAL4^how-24B has no effect on viability.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of the ubiquitous driver Scer\GAL4^αTub84B.PL results in a malformed third leg phenotype. An increase in copy number increases the penetrance of the phenotype.

Flies expressing Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of the leg specific driver Scer\GAL4^Dll.PU appear indistinguishable from controls.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of the ubiquitous driver Scer\GAL4^αTub84B.PL results in a reduction in the size and complexity of the muscle 6/7 neuromuscular junction. A reduced number of boutons is seen, along with reduced expansion of the presynaptic terminal arbor and fewer axonal branches. An increase in Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} copy number exacerbates the phenotype.

Expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of the ubiquitous driver Scer\GAL4^how-24B results in a reduction in the size and complexity of the muscle 6/7 neuromuscular junction. A reduced number of boutons is seen, along with reduced expansion of the presynaptic terminal arbor and fewer axonal branches. An increase in Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} copy number exacerbates the phenotype.

Pan-neuronal expression of Avic\GFP^{EGFP.Scer\UAS.mir-8SP} under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav.PLu does not produce any detectable neuromuscular junction phenotypes.