Both neuropilins and all plexins, except D1, were expressed in the spinal cord at stage 22. Motor neurons expressed plexinA1, A2, A4, B2, and both neuropilins (open arrowheads). Levels of plexinB2 were very low and plexinA2 appeared to be expressed only in a subset of motor neurons. All class-A plexin were found in dorsal commissural neurons (arrowheads). PlexinA1 and A2, but not A4, were detected in the floor plate (open arrows). Furthermore, the floor plate expressed plexinB1 and C1. PlexinB1 was found throughout the spinal cord with higher levels in the ventricular zone. PlexinD1 was not expressed in the spinal cord at all, but was restricted to endothelial cells and cells ensheathing the spinal cord. The DRGs expressed plexinA1, A2, A4, B1, npn-1 and npn-2 (asterisks). For a comparison sections hybridized with the respective sense probes are shown in [Additional file 2]. Bar 200 μm.