atk expression is partially lost. P{EPgy2}Uhg8EY07139 is not located in the atk coding region, suggesting this insertion affects an atk regulatory unit.
atkEY07139 mutants show defective morphology of embryonic lch5 organs: cilia are not parallel to each other but point out in different directions (though they still contact the cap cell); neuronal cell bodies appear frequently disorganized.
Mutant larvae exhibit severe defects in locomotion: the number of direction changes is significantly increased, and the total path length is significantly reduced.
Mutant larvae do not show an altered response to sucrose in a chemotaxis assay.