Figure 2. GFP expression driven by 4-kb nhx gene promoter fragments in transgenic nematodes.Representative fluorescent and the corresponding differential interference contrast photomicrographs are shown side by side for transgenic lines expressing GFP from 4-kb promoter fragments from the nhx gene family. A-H, transgenic C. elegans expressing
nhx-1, -2, -7,
and-6::GFP, respectively, in the intestine (int).
nhx-1 and-2::GFP are expressed throughout the length of the intestine, whereas
nhx-7::GFP is expressed only in the most posterior cells;
nhx-6::GFP is expressed most strongly in posterior intestinal cells, with a graded level of expression that weakens moving anteriorly then strengthens again in the most anterior cells. The direction that the nematodes are facing is indicated in the differential interference contrast view by an arrow. I and J,
nhx-3:: GFP expression in hypodermal cells (hyp). Strong expression of
nhx-3::GFP was also observed in the spermathecal junction cells (sjc) and
ut1 cells of the uterus (ut) in adult animals (U and V). K and L, strong
nhx-4::GFP expression was observed in the nerve ring and retrovesicular ganglia and hypodermal cells associated with the intestinal tract and rectum, but varying levels of expression were observed in all cells of the body (data not shown). Mosaic animals are shown that express
nhx-4::GFP in hypodermal cells (hyp) and neurons of an L1 larvae (W and X), the distal tip cell (dtc; Y and Z), and pharyngeal neurons (phx; AA and AB). The
nhx-4 promoter drives GFP expression in all of the neurons of the worm (M and N) as well as in the excretory cell (ec; AC and AD), and the ppar and ppal cells of the vulva (vul; AE and AF). AG and AH, a more detailed view of
nhx-4::GFP expression in the pharyngeal neurons (phx). O and P, transgenic nematodes expressing
nhx-8::GFP in the lateral seam cells (sc). Q and R, the
nhx-9 promoter drove GFP expression in the excretory cell (ec) as well as in the phasmid sensory organs in the tail (phm) and the posterior intestine (int; AI and AJ).