No Cdk5α transcript is detectable by in situ hybridization in Df(2L)p35-C2 homozygous embryos.
Cdk5α20C/Df(2L)p35-C2 transheterozygous adults display significantly reduced adult lifespan and aged adults display more severe neurodegenerative phenotype (compromised tissue integrity particularly in the mushroom body) relative to control flies of comparable physiological age (= at equivalent stage of population mortality) but this effect is not due to either increased apoptosis or necrosis. The aged mutant adults however accumulate more autophagosomal organelles relative to controls. Cdk5α20C/Df(2L)p35-C2 adult also display significantly reduced survival rate upon starvation.