Fig. 7. In wild-type P0 retinas, the Chx10 and Kip1 proteins are present in almost
entirely exclusive sets of cells, but cells in the neuroblast layer express
both species of mRNA. Chx10 protein is present in the central neuroblast layer
and in mitotic cells at the ventricular surface of the retina (A), while Kip1
protein is present in cells in the inner and outer thirds of the retina (B).
(C) A merged image showing the mutually exclusive cellular staining pattern of
these proteins. In situ hybridization shows that mRNA expression of both the
Chx10 (D) and Kip1 (E) genes in wild-type retina at P0 is in the same
set of cells, in the central neuroblast layer. (F-H) Double in situ of
Chx10 and Kip1 mRNA demonstrates that individual RPCs in the
neuroblast layer express both of these genes. (I) Northern blot hybridization
of total RNA from P0 retinas shows that the Kip1 mRNA level is the
same in wild-type and Chx10-null mice (by contrast, the
CycD1 mRNA level does change; see
Fig. 9C). Ethidium
bromide-stained 28s rRNA bands are shown as a loading control. (J) Kip1
protein accumulates in progenitor cells as they exit the cell cycle and begin
to differentiate. It is then downregulated in fully differentiated cells
(except Müller glia). Arrowheads indicate cells that are positive for
both mRNA probes. Scale bars: in A, 50 µm for A-C; in D, 50 µm doe D,E;
in F, 10 µm for F-H.