Expression of Hsap\TTR^A.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF results in high frequency of the dragged-wing posture phenotype and retinal damage in adult flies.

Flies expressing Hsap\TTR^A.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF exhibit Triton X-100 soluble Hsap\TTR protein 1 day post-eclosion. However, 30 days post-eclosion, no Triton X-100 soluble Hsap\TTR protein is left, with all the protein forming insoluble aggregates. This aggregated Hsap\TTR remains after shutdown of the transgene expression, suggesting its resistance to proteolytic processes.

Increased overexpression of Hsap\TTR^A.Scer\UAS under the control of two copies of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF results in wing defects. The wing angle changes and results in a dragged posture, seen as early as 2-3 days post-eclosion. Mutant female flies are affected 2-3 times more often than males of the same genotype. With four days of eclosion 43% of females develop dragged wings and nearly 90% of them by 6 days. Penetrance varies between 40 and 90% at room temperature. Those mutant flies with the most severe wing phenotypes developed other sensorimotor changes such as climbing problems. Mutant flies fail to show any climbing after a few hours and fail to regain the ability. These flies also show significant loss of flight performance. This flies exhibited a negative righting reflex, as the flies jump before the flight but land on their backs and have difficulties resuming an upright position.

Life span is shortened for flies expressing Hsap\TTR^A.Scer\UAS under the control of two copies of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF. Hsap\TTR^A.Scer\UAS flies have a median survival of 14 days in females and 20 days in males (compared to 34 and 32 days respectively in controls).