Questions, Feedback & Help
Send us an email and we'll get back to you ASAP. Or you can read our Frequently Asked Questions.

WormBase Tree Display for Expr_pattern: Expr8171

expand all nodes | collapse all nodes | view schema

Name Class

Expr8171Expression_ofGeneWBGene00020838
Reflects_endogenous_expression_ofWBGene00020838
Expression_dataLife_stageWBls:0000024
WBls:0000038
WBls:0000027
WBls:0000035
WBls:0000041
WBls:0000015
WBls:0000021
Anatomy_term (18)
TypeReporter_gene
PatternCells with neuronal-like processes were visible immediately after the embryonic stage and remained through the life of the worm. GFP-positive cells were visible in the head anterior and posterior ganglia, which contain most of the C. elegans neurons as well as other associated cells. GFP-positive neuronal-like processes were also found in the nerve ring encircling the isthmus of the pharynx. Whether the GFP-positive cells were indeed neurons could not be determined solely on their localization. However, the finding of GFP-positive processes in the nerve ring suggested that at least some neurons were expressing T27A3.1. When a shorter promoter region, only 2 kb of genomic DNA upstream from the start codon of T27A3.1a, was used to drive the expression of GFP, a similar expression pattern was seen; however, fewer GFP-expressing neurons were visible. This data suggest that the larger 4-kb promoter region contains regulatory elements necessary for specific neuronal expression that are not contained within the smaller 2-kb promoter segment.
Each transgenic line displayed similar expression patterns. GFP expression was visible late in embryogenesis but before morphogenesis and continued through the larval stages into adulthood. In adults, expression was found in a variety of cell types: GFP was found in the cells of the pharynx, in the epithelial cells of the intestine, in the seam cells that line the sides of the worm, in cells of the vulval region, in the somatic gonads, and in cells of the tail region.
In males, GFP expression was found in the bilateral sensory rays and in the spicules.
In the pharyngeal bulbs, the morphology and striated appearance of GFP-positive cells is consistent with muscle cell characteristics. In the vulval region, the GFP-positive cells did not appear to be neurons or muscle cells, and their identity remains unclear. In the gonads, GFP expression was visible in the distal tip cell (DTC), as well as in the distal sheath cell pair 1 that can be identified by its fish-net-like appearance. In the tail, GFP-positive cells most likely include the rectal gland cells, the rectum epithelial cells, and phasmid sheath cells (Phsh) and socket cells (Phso1 and 2).
RemarkPicture: Figure 3.
ReferenceWBPaper00031987
TransgeneWBTransgene00030358