Expression of cher^C in all cells of the eye under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR.PF results in a consistent mild disruption to the precise patterning of ommatidia on the exterior surface of the eye when compared to control lines. Neurodegeneration associated with this phenotype is confirmed in sections of aged adult eyes, where the number of rhabdomeres in each ommatidial unit decreased significantly from the normal number of seven observed in controls.

A decrease in life span is observed in flies expressing cher^C ubiquitously under the control of Scer\GAL4^da.G32.

An increase in the proportion of flies that fail to climb is observed when cher^C is expressed throughout the nervous system using Scer\GAL4^elav-C155. Flies expressing cher^C throughout the nervous system also show a movement disorder involving a sudden loss of coordination in which flies will fall on their backs, followed by a brief period of uncoordinated movement in which they are not able to right themselves. This behaviour can also be induced by knocking flies to the bottom of the vial, and therefore may contribute to the observed failure to climb phenotype. The incidence of this phenotype is higher at 37[o]C compared with controls.