In adult hermaphrodites carrying either
lag-2 5'::lacZ or
lag-2::lacZ(intra), beta-galactosidase was observed in the DTC. In adult hermaphrodites carrying
lag-2 5'::lacZ, expression was observed exclusively in the DTC nuclei. Beta-galactosidase was found in 62% (30/48) of the DTCs examined in
lag-2 5'::lacZ animals, but it was not observed in the germ line or in any non-gonadal cells of these hermaphrodites. Similarly, in adult hermaphrodites carrying
lag-2::lacZ(intra), beta-galactosidase was observed in 100% (42/42) of the DTCs examined. In addition to the consistent DTC staining of
lag-2::lacZ(intra) animals, there are beta-galactosidase observed within the germ line of 36% (15/42) of the gonads. This germline staining appeared to extend some distance from the distal tip cell. This germline staining was unexpected. LAG-2:: beta-gal(intra) is predicted to have beta-galactosidase on the intracellular side of the fusion protein, which should reside within the cytoplasm of the distal tip cell. Some variable staining was also seen outside the gonad of
lag-2::lacZ(intra) animals: a single uncharacterized cell stained positively with X-gal within the head of 2/21 animals, a few cells were positive in the pharynx of 1/21 animals, and a few uncharacterized cells were positive in the tail of 1/21 animals.