Expression of VGAT^GD1990 (together with UAS-Dicer2 to enhance RNAi efficiency) under the control of Scer\GAL4^GMR41E11 results in defects in sensing food hardness as the flies show diminished preference for softer food to harder food (at the expense of sweetness) compared to controls.

Expression of VGAT^GD1990 under the control of Scer\GAL4^c316 results in the loss of a large proportion of nighttime sleep. Flies exhibit normal levels of nighttime activity while awake compared to controls.

Expression of VGAT^GD1990 under the control of Scer\GAL4^NP2721 results in the loss of a large proportion of nighttime sleep. Flies exhibit normal levels of nighttime activity while awake compared to controls.

No sleep loss is observed when VGAT^GD1990 is expressed under the control of Scer\GAL4^NP2631.

A weak nighttime sleep loss phenotype is seen when VGAT^GD1990 is expressed under the control of either Scer\GAL4^GH146 or Scer\GAL4^NP5288. This is generally accompanied by an increase in activity while awake.

Expression of VGAT^GD1990 under the control of Scer\GAL4^dimm-929 does not affect sensitivity to (S,Z,Z)-CH503 (a more potent stereoisomer of the gustatory sex pheromone CH503). As in wild type flies, courtship defects are seen in response to (S,Z,Z)-CH503.

Adults expressing VGAT^GD1990 under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav.PLu (in the presence of Dcr-2^Scer\UAS.cDa to increase the efficiency of RNAi) show significantly reduced avoidance of noxious temperature (46[o]C) compared to control flies.