Nop60BDL4 was generated by Δ2-3 induced imprecise excision of P{lacW}Nop60BDL2011. Approximately 3.5Kb of the P{lacW} insert remains, and no flanking genomic sequence is lost.
Testes from Nop60BDL4 mutants are severely reduced in size compared to wild-type, with little or no evidence of a spermatocyte fusome and a dramatic reduction in the numbers of germ cells, including germ-line stem cells. Somatic cell numbers in the testes are unaffected, although the hub cells are elongated.
Nop60BDL4 is rescued by Nop60Bhs.PG
Nop60BDL4 homozygotes carrying Nop60Bhs.PG show a dramatic rescue of testicular atrophy, with rescue of branched fusomes and of germ cells. The degree of rescue diminishes with age.