The onset of
hst-2 expression coincides with the start of morphogenesis in mid-embryonic (comma) stages where
hst-2::GFP is first detected in developing pharyngeal cells.
hst-2::GFP expression in the pharynx persists through larval development and remains in adults. In larvae,
hst-2 is also expressed in the hypodermis (epidermis) and in neurons in both the dorsal and ventral nerve cords. In adults,
hst-2::GFP is widely expressed in the pharynx, muscle and in several neurons in the nerve cords. During the development of the hermaphrodite vulva,
hst-2::GFP is expressed in the vulval precursor cells. At larval stage L3,
hst-2::GFP is seen in the four descendants of the P6.p vulval precursor cell. The expression of
hst-2::GFP in vulval hypodermis persists through larval stage L4 to adults. During the hermaphrodite gonad morphogenesis, the gonad leader cells or DTCs also express
hst-2::GFP.