UASt regulatory sequences drive expression of the genetically encoded A-kinase activity reporter "AKAR2" (see PMID:16177793). This protein consists of two fluorescent proteins (ECFP and Citrine) that are separated by a phosphothreonine-binding domain (forkhead associated domain 1 (FHA1) from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD53 gene) and an optimised protein kinase A (PKA) substrate domain (LRRATLVD). When phosphorylated by PKA, the PKA substrate domain interacts with the binding pocket of the FHA1 domain, increasing the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the two fluorophores.
Both aversive and appetitive short-term and long-term memory are normal in flies expressing Avic\GFPAKAR2.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4238Y.