All reporters show qualitatively similar expression patterns. In transgenic embryos, gfp expression is detected in the developing gut by the comma stage and up to the 2-fold stage. By the late 3-fold stage of embryogenesis, dig-1 reporter constructs become strongly expressed in mesodermal cells. In larvae of all stages and adults, dig-1 reporter genes remain strongly expressed in mesodermal cells, including body wall, head, vulval, uterine, pharyngeal muscles, and in enteric and anal depressor muscles. Additional mesodermal cells expressing the dig-1 reporter construct include support cells in the head (GLR cells), the head mesodermal cell, coelomocytes and sex myoblasts. Expression could also be observed in the hypodermis. No expression could be observed in the nervous system.
