Fig. 5

Rootletin knock-down severely disrupts Ch neuron function. a Larval locomotion assay showing that Rootletin knock-down larvae move less due to uncoordination. Larvae were tested at two temperatures as the Gal4 driving the RNAi construct is more active at higher temperatures (RNAi predicted to be more complete). Larvae from an atonal mutant stock were tested for comparison; such larvae lack Ch neurons. b Adult climbing assay show a significant disruption of climbing behaviour in adult Rootletin knock-down flies. Results plotted are averages of three trials of 15 flies. c Larval hearing assay. Larvae are tested in groups of five and the retraction score refers to the average number of larvae that contract. n = 40, error bars represent standard deviation. d Grooming assay for behaviour in response to sensory bristle deflection. Proportion represents an average response proportion from six replicas each testing five flies. Error bars represent standard error. e Adult climbing assay performed ageing flies. Results are plotted as averages from four replicas of 15 flies; the same flies were used in each time point, error bars represent standard error, two-way Anova p > 0.003, f Plot of ratio of wild-type/RNAi knockdown for data shown in (e). The rate of performance decrease over time is greater for Rootletin knock-down flies