Fig 1.

Gata2 hypomorphic mutant mice develop megaureters due to aberrant formation of the uretero-urethral junction. (A to F) Unlike Gata2^+/+ mice, moderate to severe megaureters (arrowheads) were observed in Gata2^fGN/fGN mice upon gross examination. Enlarged calyceal spaces with thinning of the renal parenchyma were observed in severe cases. (G) In Gata2^+/+ mice, the ureteral orifices (arrowheads) were located at the posterolateral edge of the bladder. (H) In Gata2^fGN/fGN mice, the aberrantly dilated ureters (arrowheads) were aberrantly connected to the urethra. (I and J) Schematic illustrations of the urinary tract systems shown in panels G and H, respectively. (K) Trypan blue dye injected into the renal pelvis flowed through the ureters to collect in Gata2^+/+ bladders. (L) In Gata2^fGN/fGN mice, trypan blue dye was visibly absent from the bladder but was present at the uretero-urethral junction (arrowhead). b, bladder; k, kidney; u, ureter; ur, urethra.