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The Roles of DD2R in Drosophila Larval Olfactory Associative Learning

Qi, Cheng
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5716-5020
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1573652278701753

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
Learning and memory is an important brain function of animals across phyla, which helps them to collect useful information for survival and adapt to constantly changing environments. In mammals, such as rodents, monkeys, and human beings, the dopaminergic system plays an important role in this process. Dopaminergic neurons in the mesencephalon, especially those in the ventral tegmental area with projections to the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, have been proved necessary for distinct types of learning and memory. Dopamine receptors, including excitatory D1-like receptors and inhibitory D2-like receptors, are involved in different learning tasks. Compared to mammalian models, Drosophila melanogaster, especially its larva, has a simple nervous system with less redundancy, while retaining the learning ability and a conserved dopaminergic system. Dopaminergic neurons mediate Drosophila olfactory associative learning in both adults and larvae, and D1-like receptor, dDA1, in the mushroom body, the learning center of flies, has been proven important to learning. However, the role of D2-like receptor DD2R in fly learning has not been fully explored. In this study, I explored the expression patterns of DD2R in third instar larval brains using a GFP-tagged DD2R strain, which were confirmed by DD2R-Gal4 lines and DD2R microRNA knockdown experiments. Then I screened dopaminergic drivers marking several neurons or a single neuron, which revealed a one-to-one connection from dopaminergic neurons to corresponding mushroom body compartments. Finally, I investigated that DD2Rs in distinct neurons are necessary for different types of larval olfactory learning. Results from optogenetic activation of specific dopaminergic neurons during learning indicated DD2R achieved its functions via neuronal inhibition. In summary, my study exhibits that DD2R plays an important role in Drosophila larval olfactory associative learning. In the future, studies related to circuit architecture and signaling pathways will be promising directions to reveal the essence of learning and memory.
Daewoo Lee (Advisor)
Robert Colvin (Committee Member)
Yang Li (Committee Member)
Xiaozhuo Chen (Committee Member)
William Holmes (Committee Member)
161 p.
Neurosciences
Drosophila larva; dopaminergic neurons; DD2R; associative learning; mushroom body

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Qi, C. (2019). The Roles of DD2R in Drosophila Larval Olfactory Associative Learning [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1573652278701753

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Qi, Cheng. The Roles of DD2R in Drosophila Larval Olfactory Associative Learning. 2019. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1573652278701753.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Qi, Cheng. "The Roles of DD2R in Drosophila Larval Olfactory Associative Learning." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1573652278701753

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1573652278701753
196
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.