Fig. 7. Rescue by ELT-6 restores normal alae and uncovers post-embryonic defects in elt-5(RNAi) animals. (A,B) L1-stage elt-5(RNAi) larva in which the nhr-74::GFP::ELT-6 fusion (pKK49) was expressed in seam cells. (A) Interior view showing that the buccal capsule (arrow) is not attached. (B) Surface view showing that alae are restored in larvae expressing GFP::ELT-6 in seam cells (compare with Fig. 3B,F). (C,D) Fluorescence image of epidermal adherens junctions (JAM-1::GFP) in L2-stage larvae. (C) Wild-type larva showing that adherens junctions surround all seam cells. (D) elt-5(RNAi) larva carrying a construct (pKK25) that drives ELT-6::GFP expression in AB and MS descendants. All but one of the seam cells (arrow) lack visible adherens junctions and have therefore fused with the surrounding epidermal syncytium. Arrows point to the H0 seam cell in C,D. (E,F) Molting defects in elt-5(RNAi) larvae expressing GFP::ELT-6 in AB and MS descendants but not in seam cells (pKK25). (E) Larva arrested at the L2-L3 molt showing its inability to break through the old cuticle, resulting in a plugged mouth. (F) Larva arrested at the L3-L4 molt with cuticle in the tail region still attached. The space between the old and new cuticle has collected waste material (arrows) and the old cuticle has formed a constriction (arrowhead).
