Fig. 2

Photoreceptor scRNA-Seq and Ca²⁺ chelation reveal critical role for Ca²⁺-signalling in rd1 cell death. A Volcano plot for scRNA-Seq data showing Ca²⁺-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in rd1 vs. wild-type (wt) rod photoreceptors. B Circle plot showing top-5 Ca²⁺-related GO terms enriched for Ca²⁺-related DEGs in rd1 rod photoreceptors (p < 0.05). C Volcano plot for scRNA-Seq data showing Ca²⁺-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in rd1 vs. wild-type (wt) cone photoreceptors. D Circle plot showing top-5 Ca²⁺-related GO terms enriched for Ca²⁺-related DEGs in rd1 cone photoreceptors (p < 0.05). E The TUNEL assay labelled dying cells (magenta) in wt and rd1 retinal explant cultures. DAPI (grey) was used as nuclear counterstain. Untreated (Untr.) wt and rd1 retina were compared to retina treated with 10 µM BAPTA-AM (BAPTA). Scatter plot displaying percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Statistical testing: Student’s t-test performed between rd1 Untr. and 10 µM BAPTA-AM (BAPTA). Untr. wt: n = 4; Untr. rd1: 10; BAPTA rd1: 19; error bars represent SD; *** = p < 0.001. INL = inner nuclear layer, GCL = ganglion cell layer; scale bar = 50 µm