MajorCausal claimResults · Fig. 3
The causal claim rests on a single shRNA with no rescue
demonstrating that FIS7 is required for the maintenance of dendritic spines in mature neurons.
- Why a reviewer will raise it
- Every loss-of-function result in Fig. 3 uses one shRNA. Reviewers routinely ask whether the phenotype is off-target, and “required” is stronger than knockdown alone can support.
- What to change
- Re-express an shRNA-resistant FIS7 and show spine density recovers, or repeat the key panels with a second, independent shRNA or a CRISPR knockout. Until then, soften “required” to “contributes to”.