Expr14492

The srb-13 reporter expresses GFP in 3 pairs of head sensory neurons called ASI, ASK, and AWB (amphid wing B), which extend dendrites with ciliated endings to the nose.

Expr8175

Inspection of three independent che-12 pro::GFP transgenic lines showed that che-12 is expressed in only the subset of amphid neurons that lack wing- or finger-like ciliary extensions and in the two phasmid neurons.

Expr13398

GFP::OIG-8 is exclusively expressed in the olfactory amphid wing (AW)-type sensory neurons AWA, AWB, and AWC, the thermosensory amphid finger neurons (AFD), the gas-sensing BAG neurons, and the harsh touch sensory neurons FLP and PVD.

Expr15985

TSP-6::mScarlet was present in the filament-like branches of the chemosensory AWA (amphid wing A) cilium, the rod-like amphid channel cilia of the head, as well as the phasmid cilia of the tail but was not visibly expressed in EVNs.

Expr12165

GFP reporter constructs show cat-4 expression in identified serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons (where tryptophan hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase are expressed, respectively), and in the epidermis (where both phenylalanine hydroxylase and alkylglycerol monooxygenase are expressed). Overall, in larval and adult worms, strong expression was observed in serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons, in most of the epidermis - especially the large epidermal syncytium (hyp7) - and more weakly in some intestinal cells. NSM and CEP neuron somas are seen in the head, plus some neuronal processes (especially CEP processes). A few other neuronal somas stain less brightly. The anterior intestine also shows GFP expression, as do some rectal epithelial cells (likely B & Y cells). The cat-4 reporter constructs examined were coming from three different sources, including some previously described by others (Sze et al. 2002, Flames and Hobert 2009). The JY739 strain showed expression in biogenic amine neurons and the epidermis, not in muscle cells as reported (Sze et al. 2002).

Expr2203

The expression of the ver-2::gfp fusion was restricted and found only in one pair of neurons in the head ganglia, with extending processes through the anterior of the animal. These neurons were filled with the lipophilic dye Dil and identified as ADL by the morphology of the bipolar cilia which were thinner than the wing-like shape of AWB. Indeed, coinjection of ver-2::gfp along with str-1::gfp (a pecific marker of AWB) did not show any overlap of the two markers. ver-2 was not increased when worms turned dauers.

Expr15171

We generated a fosmid-based reporter transgene for flp-34 and found consistent fluorescence in several head and tail neurons, as well as in the vulval region. The flp-34 reporter transgene was expressed in all serotonergic neurons (NSM, HSN and ADF (Horvitz et al., 1982)), validated by colocalization of the GFP signal with the expression of a red reporter transgene for tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (tph-1p::DsRed2) that encodes a serotonin biosynthesis enzyme (Sze et al., 2002). The flp-34 transgene was also expressed in the ASG sensory neurons as confirmed by colocalization with an ASG specific reporter (nlp-44p::mCherry), in the tail PHA sensory neurons as confirmed by DiI staining, and in the PLN and ALN neurons as identified by their morphology and position.

Expr11286

coel-1 is widely expressed across all cell types. Although expressed broadly during embryogenesis, its expression became restricted to a subset of neurons during larval development and adulthood. Co-expression of coel-1::GFP with odr-2::CFP was observed in the AIZ interneuron, and based on the position of cell bodies relative to those expressing odr-2::CFP, other coel-1-expressing cells in the head of the animal are likely to be the AVK, AIY, AIM and RIB interneurons, the AWC amphid wing cells, SIBV neurons, OLL neurons and URB neurons. During later stages of larval development, transgenic coel-1 expression became even more restricted, so that by the adult stage expression was typically observed in 10 neurons in the head, the ALM touch receptor neurons along the body wall, and the PLM touch receptor neurons in the tail.

Expr971

The highest and most consistent expression was observed with several independent strains derived from the largest expression construct (DYNGFP1B-7). Expression was nearly exclusive to neurons which possessed ciliated sensory specializations. The extent and level of expression correlated roughly with the growth of the ciliated endings of these neurons. Since neurulation (and presumably cilia growth) occurs in ovo, and since cells at this stage of development are compact and difficult to identify, the authors did not demonstrate that all ciliated neurons express the fusion construct. However, a subset of neurons with ciliated endings (ADL, ASH, ASI, ASJ, PHA, PHB, AQR, and PQR) generally show modest and somewhat variable expression of the fusion construct throughout the life span of the animal. Expression was first noted at approximately 380 - 400 min after fertilization-a time corresponding to the comma stage of development in two cells flanking the developing pharynx. Expression rapidly increased in extent and intensity, peaking in the 3-fold stage in many cells (>30) located anterior and posterior to the nerve ring, as well as in four cells in the developing tail. Expression in the region adjacent to the nerve ring was consistent with all ciliated neurons in this region showing fluorescence. Expression was maintained through most of embryogenesis but decreased in extent and intensity shortly after hatching; late L1 larvae typically showed expression in the phasmids (PHA and PHB) and five or six neuron classes in the head, which usually included ADL, ASK, ASH, ASJ, and ASI but also variably included a subset of ASE, ASG, ADF, AFD, FLP, and ADE. With occasional exceptions, most of the neuron classes anterior to the nerve ring, which based on position may have been BAG, IL1, IL2, OLL, CEP, and OLQ, ceased expressing the reporter late in embryonic development. The neurons with the most elaborate ciliated endings-the amphid wing cells, AWA, AWB, and especially AWC-did not show expression after hatching. Expression did not decrease much further than this as the animal aged. Both these cells showed expression in developing larvae from the L3 stage on. The postdeirid structure in the worm's midbody region also appears postembryonically and contains a ciliated neuron (PDE) that showed clear fluorescence in many animals. This expression was also transiently restricted to a period of time shortly following the appearance of this neuron. In addition, two examples of weak expression in unciliated cells were noted. First, at least one pharyngeal neuron (tentatively identified as I4) showed weak expression in some animals. Finally, barely perceptible fluorescence was occasionally observed in the coelomocytes of some worms.