Required during the maturation of the embryonic nervous system for maintenance of neuronal and cuticular connectivity. Essential for maintenance of dopaminergic neurons and dopamine levels. In stage 12, expression is seen in the stomodeum and the salivary gland primordia, and weakly in the mesoderm. From stage 13 onward, expression is in Garland cells, the outer wall of the proventriculus and salivary glands. Punctuate expression is also in the ventral nerve cord (VNC), specifically in eagle (eg)-positive cell body glia. Epidermal expression is seen at stage 15. Expressed both maternally and zygotically through all developmental stages. Total loss of dopaminergic neurites and drastic reduction in dopamine levels followed by degeneration of axonal bundles in the embryonic central nervous system and subsequent nonapoptotic cell death. Also exhibits cuticular defects. Belongs to the ARMET family.