Expr8555
Approximately 4 h before hatching, the relative abundance of the R subunit begins to increase. When the nematodes hatch the content of R reaches a peak value 6- to 8-fold higher (by densitometry and direct measurement of CAMP binding activities) than the amount observed in embryos. The relative abundance of R observed in newly hatched C. elegans is maintained throughout four larval stages Ll - L4. Changes in R expression were similar in cytosolic and particulate fractions at all stages. As the nematodes become adults and mature into egg-laying animals, an apparent decrease in R content is observed, and proteolytically cleaved 35kDa fragments of R are found in fractions of adults.