let-23 expression is first observed in the early L3 larvae (1-3 h after L2 molt, 1.5-3.5 h before division of the Pn.p cells), in all six Pn.p cells and is concentrated in a lateral ring.
let-23 appears to be specifically associated with the cell junction. Let-23 expression decreases rapidly in the 2o cells (P5.p and P7.p) starting at 3 h and disappearing completely by 3.5 h after L2 molt. Expression in P3.p, P4.p and P8.p decreases gradually until no longer seen 3.5-4 h after L2 molt. Expression in P6.p increases starting at 4-4.5 h after L2 molt. At this stage expression is observed in a lateral ring in the plasma membrane. At approximately 4-4.5 h after the L2 molt, expression is localized to the P6.p cell junction in 69% of the animals and staining is more punctate. In the remaining 31% of animals staining is broadly distributed on the apical plasma membrane of P6.p.