ref-2::venus is detected in a substantial number of dividing cells in the embryo. At the end of gastrulation, the reporter is detected in some neuroblasts on the ventral side of the embryo. These neuroblasts include the left/right symmetric pair of ABpl/rpapaaa neuroblasts, which will give rise to AIY and its sister cell, the SMDD motor neuron, through an asymmetric cell division. During interphase, the REF-2::VENUS protein is detected in the nucleus of the SMDD/AIY mothers, then spreads into the cytoplasm just before cleavage. No expression is observed in AIY during larval and adult stages. Thus
ref-2 appears to be expressed only transiently in the AIY lineage during embryogenesis. REF-2::VENUS is also expressed in the excretory system (G1, G2, excretory pore, and excretory gland) in the P cell lineage and in the Y and B cells.