A pair of dopaminergic neurons DAN-c1 mediate Drosophila larval aversive olfactory learning through D2-like receptors

The intricate relationship between the dopaminergic system and olfactory associative learning in Drosophila has been an intense scientific inquiry. Leveraging the formidable genetic tools, we conducted a screening of 57 dopaminergic drivers, leading to the discovery of the DAN-c1 driver, uniquely targeting a pair of dopaminergic neurons (DAN) in the larval brain. While the involvement of excitatory D1-like receptors is well-established, the role of D2-like receptors (D2Rs) remains underexplored. Our investigation reveals the expression of D2Rs in both DANs and the mushroom body (MB) of third instar larval brains. Silencing D2Rs in DAN-c1 via microRNA disrupts aversive learning, further supported by optogenetic activation of DAN-c1 during training, affirming the inhibitory role of D2R autoreceptor. Intriguingly, D2R knockdown in the MB impairs both appetitive and aversive learning. These findings elucidate the distinct contributions of D2Rs in diverse brain structures, providing novel in..., , # A pair of dopaminergic neurons DAN-c1 mediate Drosophila larval aversive olfactory learning through D2-like receptors

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.kwh70rzhq](10.5061/dryad.kwh70rzhq)

## Description of the data and file structure

The dataset includes all the immunofluorescence images, and the learning assay data related to each figure.

### Files and variables

#### File: Qi_et_al_2025_07_21.zip

**Description:** 

The dataset is organized based on relationships with each figure, and all data are documented under the corresponding file titles. The file names are based on the genotype of the samples, experiments, antibodies and channels information, confocal objective lens magnification times, batch numbers and sample numbers.

**1. Figure 1**

Data from distinct driver strains used were organized in different folders. Following are the strain names:

① TH-GAL4

② MB065B

③ R76F02AD; R55C10DBD

④ MB296B

⑤ SS1716

⑥ R58E02

⑦ R30G08

⑧ SS1696

⑨ SS0864

⑩ SS1757

For each strain, both...,