Scer\GAL4^sca.PU-mediated expression of Rootletin^GD11829 results in viable flies with normal numbers and arrangements of bristles, indicating a lack of any cell division defect in these lineages. Chordotonal (Ch) neuron cilia are present in embryos and adults - there is no gross defect in ciliogenesis - but the ciliary rootlet (examined in Ch neurons in the adult second antennal segment, i.e. Johnston's Organ) is absent. Also, the proximal centriole of the ciliary basal body is missing or mis-located, both in embryonic and adult Ch neuron cilia.

Scer\GAL4^sca.PU-mediated expression results in larvae showing reduced crawling path lengths, and adults that show impaired behaviour in a climbing assay that gets progressively worse with age. Knock-down larvae are also completely unable to responds to audio tones, while knock-down adults show a reduced response rate in a grooming assay.

Adults expressing Rootletin^GD11829 under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav.PLu (in the presence of Dcr-2^Scer\UAS.cDa to increase the efficiency of RNAi) do not show a significant defect in avoidance of noxious temperature (46[o]C) compared to control flies.