The
cpi-2a transcript was present throughout development; however, its expression varied between stages. Notably, the
cpi-2a transcript increased ~2.5-3.5 h before each molt: the L1/L2 molt (11.5 h after hatching), the L2/L3 molt (18.5 h), the L3/L4 molt (26 h), and the L4/adult molt (36 h). Subsequent to each molt, the transcript levels decreased. Transcription levels of
Ce-cpl-1 were also elevated before each molt and at the same times as those of
Ce-cpi-2a. The decrease in the transcription levels after the L2/L3, L3/L4, and L4/adult was also similar, except that after the L1/L2 molt, the
cpi-2a transcript went up, but the
cpl-1 remained low. The elevated
cpi-2a transcription profile before each molt also coincided with the C. elegans
Ce-cpz-1 transcript levels but only before the L2/L3, L3/L4, and L4/adult molt, and the timing before the molt was 2 h.