The VT037220 enhancer fragment followed by the Drosophila synthetic core promoter (DSCP) is fused upstream of the p65(AD)::Zip+ hemidriver (component of a 'split driver' system, contains the p65 activation domain).
Thermogenetic activation (using TrpA1UAS.cvPa at 30[o]C) of neurons targeted by the split-GAL4 pair of Scer\GAL4DBD.VT044845 and Hsap\RELAAD.VT037220 results in a significant increase in the total distance and bout distance of backwards walking, with a significant decrease in forwards walking, compared to controls.
Inhibition (using Ctet\TeTxLCTNT.UAS) of neurons targeted by the split-GAL4 pair of Scer\GAL4DBD.VT044845 and Hsap\RELAAD.VT037220 significantly reduces backing-up behavior when adult flies reach a narrow dead end, compared to controls; there is a small, significant decrease in total forwards walking distance in unimpeded conditions, compared to controls.