Expression of tau^Scer\UAS.cMa under the control of Scer\GAL4^ptc.PU results in mitotic defects (monopolar mitotic spindle, chromosomal aneuploidy) in the third instar larval wing disc cells and in significant reduction in the size of the L3-L4 intervein region (measured at the wing margin) of adult wings.

The mushroom bodies in flies expressing tau^Scer\UAS.cMa in neurons under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav.PU appear normal.

Overexpression of tau^Scer\UAS.cMa in the adult mushroom body and other brain neurons under the control of either Scer\GAL4^c492b or Scer\GAL4^c747 does not result in decreased longevity. tau^Scer\UAS.cMa-expression does not appear to cause gross morphological abnormalities or decreased fecundity and vigor compared with controls. Degenerating cells and large vacuoles are not detected in the mushroom bodies of controls or 21 day old animals expressing tau^Scer\UAS.cMa.

Expression of tau^Scer\UAS.cMa under the control of either Scer\GAL4^c492b or Scer\GAL4^c747 does not result in a reduction in response to olfactory sensory stimuli or alter responses to conditioned plus unconditioned pre-exposure compared with controls. In contrast, tau^Scer\UAS.cMa-expression engenders in a 25-30% decrease in olfactory learning and 90-minute memory.