Fig. 8.

Genes whose expression is enriched in the immune pigmented cells of the larvae (red spherule cells) are expressed in the epithelium of the spine as seen by fluorescence in situ RNA hybridization. PKS = polyketide synthase; Sm50 = spicule matrix protein of 50 kDa (is not in pigmented cells of the larva but is an important control for hybridization and profiling); note that Sm50 mRNA is enriched at the tip of the spine; Mif5 = macrophage migration inhibitory factor #5, which is involved in a variety of immune functions in mammals; FMO3 = Flavin-containing monooxygenase #3; gLNC = Long non-coding RNA enriched in green spines; ABCg11 = ATP-binding cassette protein - #11 in the g family of ABC proteins. Each of the genes are expressed broadly in the spine epithelial cells with enrichment transitions seen in FMO3 and SM50. The most distinct labeling profile is in gLNC, which appears perinuclearly in select epithelial cells. Bars in each image = 50 micrometers