Table 3.

Analysis of xbx-1(ok279) mutant phenotypes

Genotype	Fluorescent dye-fillinga	Osmotic avoidanceb	Male mating efficiency (%)c
N2 (wild type)	+	+	100
che-13(e1805)	-	-	0
dyf-4(m158)	-	-	≥100
xbx-1(ok279)	-	-	8

^aUsing the fluorescent dyes FITC and DiI-C12, 100% of wild-type animals exhibited staining of 6 amphid neurons (occasionally an animal stained only 4 or 5) and 2 phasmid neurons, whereas all three mutant strains tested did not exhibit any staining, either in amphid or in phasmid neurons. At least 3 separate experiments were performed using a total of >50 adult hermaphrodites per strain.

^bLess than 5% of wild-type animals and >80% of all three mutant strains tested crossed a ring of high osmotic strength (8 M glycerol) during a time period of 10 min. At least 4 separate experiments were performed using a total of 55 to 90 adult hermaphrodites per strain.

^cData are given as percent mating efficiency (ME) compared with N2 wild type (set to 100%). Combined data from two independent, representative crosses are shown. Percentages as shown translate to the standard C. elegans ME scale (cf. Starich et al., 1995) as follows: ME = 4 (30-100% as efficient mating as N2 wild type), ME = 3 (10-30% as efficient), ME = 2 (1-10% as efficient), ME = 1 (<1% as efficient), ME = 0 (no detectable mating). In repeated crosses xbx-1 mutant males displayed an ME = 2-3.