Fig. 6. Loss of Six1 function alters the expression of Fgf3, Fgf10,
Bmp4, Nkx5.1 and Gata3 in the otic vesicle. (A-D,G-J) Transverse
sections; (E,F) Horizontal sections. (A,B) Fgf3 begins to be
expressed in the ventrolateral region of the otic vesicle (ov) at E9.5 and its
expression was undetectable in Six1-/- embryos. Note
Fgf3 expression in the hindbrain (hb) is relatively normal in
Six1-/- embryos. (C,D) Fgf10 is normally
expressed in a broad region of ventral otic vesicle and the gVIII in wild-type
embryos at E10.5; however, residual expression of Fgf10 was only
detected in the ventromedial otic vesicle in Six1-/-
embryos (arrow). (E,F) Bmp4 is normally observed in two specific
spots, one dorsal and one ventrolateral in the otic vesicle of wild-type
embryos at E10.5. In Six1-/- embryos, the dorsal
expression spot (arrowhead) was undetectable and the ventrolateral spot became
very weak (arrow). (G,H) Nkx5.1 is expressed in the dorsolateral
region of the otic vesicle in wild-type embryos at E10.5. In
Six1-/- embryos, however, Nkx5.1 expression is
excluded from the dorsolateral region (arrow) and its expression domain
shifted or expanded ventrally, including the ventral-most region. (I,J)
Gata3 is expressed strongly dorsolaterally and weakly ventromedially
in the wild-type embryos at E10.5. Similarly, in Six1-/-
embryos it is not expressed in the dorsolateral region (arrow) and its
expression domain shifted ventrally. By contrast, its expression in the
ventromedial region of the otic vesicle was unaffected in
Six1-/- embryos. Scale bars: 100 µm.