GFP::H2B<sup>zif-1</sup> signal can be detected in all blastomeres in early 4-cell embryos upon depletion of mex-3. Depletion of mex-3 also resulted in uniform expression of GFP::H2B<sup>zif-1II</sup> in all cells as early as in the 4-cell stage.
Young nematodes exposed to 100 M AlCl<sub>3</sub> for 30 min showed a dramatic decrease in SMF-3 protein levels within 24 h. These results indicate that SMF-3 protein levels are exquisitely sensitive to Al<sup>3+</sup>.