tipsyI79 flies exhibit a higher than wild-type sensitivity to ethanol intoxication. The concentration of ethanol needed to induce loss of postural control in tipsyI79 flies is significantly lower than in control flies.
tipsyI79 flies increase their locomotor activity upon exposure to ethanol. The degree of activation is not significantly different that found in wild-type controls, although sedation due to ethanol occurs more quickly. tipsyI79 mutants take 15 minutes to be completely sedated after exposure to ethanol, compared to 20 minutes in controls. tipsyI79 mutants take longer to recover from sedation than wild-type controls.
Exposure to ethanol induces a significant increase in the maximal turning frequency in tipsyI79 mutants compared to wild-type controls. However, the time needed for turning to stop completely is shortened in tipsyI79 flies. The level of turning in the absence of ehthanol is very low and indistinguishable from wild-type.
