All post-embryonic Ilp7 neurons express Scer\GAL4^VGlut-OK371, embryonic neurons are positive for odd and fkh and dMP2 ILP7 neuron of abdominal segment 6 are positive for abd-A while adult neurons that derive from these also express Scer\GAL4^HGTX-GAL4. Neurons are positive for Abd-B at all stages although the latter is expressed at lower levels in dMP2 ILP7 neuron of abdominal segment 6 derived neurons in adults. Adult male postmitotic neurons are positive for VGlut and serotonin is expressed in a subset of adult male posterior abdominal ganglion neurons that innervate the seminal vesicle. All post-embryonic neurons express Scer\GAL4^fru.P1.D.

(Castellanos et al., 2013)

Ilp7 is expressed in a group of neurons referred to as 'Ilp7 cells' whose cell bodies are located in the abdominal neuromere of the adult CNS, which terminate in the adult subesophageal ganglion.

(Cognigni et al., 2011)

Ilp7 protein can be first detected in embryos just prior to hatching, and is expressed in dMP2 ILP7 neurons through adulthood.

(Miguel-Aliaga et al., 2008)

Ilp7 is strongly expressed in the single dMP2 neuron in abdominal segments A6-A9. It is stable expressed postmitotically in these neurons through the three larval instars and into adult. Axons of the posterior dMP2 neurons exit the ventral nerve cord in the posterior nerve at embryonic stage 16 and innervate the hindgut. Ilp7 staining is observed at nerve swellings throughout the length of these dMP2 fibres and at dMP2 terminals. Ilp7 is also expressed in a dorsal pair of neurons in A1 and three lateral pairs of neurons in A1-A3. Weak Ilp7 immunoreactivity is sometimes observed in a fourth lateral neuron per hemisegment in A4, a more anterior dorsal pair, and a neuron located at base of each brain hemisphere. The larval expression pattern is maintained in the adult abdominal ganglion with some remodeling occurring. Strong Ilp7 staining is also observed in the larval and adult hindgut.

(Miguel-Aliaga et al., 2008)

In adults Ilp7 is expressed in neurons that send projections into the SOG, in a few cells in the distal segments of the thoracico-abdominal ganglion, and is expressed in the internal female reproductive tract.

(Yang et al., 2008)