cep290^mecH homo- and hemizygous mutants exhibit a severe proprioception defect.

cep290^mecH mutants cannot stand, hold their wings erect nor cross their legs.

cep290^mecH mutant thoracic mechanosensory bristles do not transduce the mechanoreceptor current but do exhibit a robust transepithelial potential, suggesting a cililary defect.

cep290^mecH mutant mechanosensory neurons display dendrites, but these dendrites lack tubulin labeling of their cilia.

Developing spermatid axonemes are frequently absent or structurally defective in cep290^mecH mutants. These defects are not seen in the centrioles of cep290^mecH mutant spermatocytes or spermatids.

The length distribution of centriolar proteins is increased in cep290^mecH mutant sperm. This increase is not observed in young spermatocytes that have not yet given rise to a cilium. Despite this, testis and mature spermatid length are normal in cep290^mecH flies.

Although spermatocyte centrioles remain associated with the cell membrane in cep290^mecHmutants, the size of the spermatocyte primary cilium is significantly reduced.

cep290^mecH spermatocyte primary cilia lack organised axonemal microtubules.

cep290^mecH spermatids faithfully form the membrane invagination of the ciliary cap. Approximately 8% of ciliary cap axonemes exhibit a normal structure in cep290^mecH spermatocyte mutant spermatids.