A, C, E, G: Strong Cdkn1b/p27 and Cdkn1c/p57 immuno-reactive signals were detected in the equatorial zone of e12.5 and e16.5 wild type lenses (arrowheads). B, D, F, H:
Gata3−/−:TghDBH-G3 lenses showed significantly diminished intensity of Cdkn1b/p27 and Cdkn1c/p57 labeling. I, J: In contrast, Gata3−/−:TghDBH-G3 lens displayed significant induction of Ccnd2/Cyclin D2 expression in comparison to the wild type control. le, lens epithelium; lf, lens fiber; re, retina. Scale bars = 100 μm. K: GATA-3, Cdkn1b/p27, Cdkn1c/p57 and Ccnd2/cyclin D2 mRNA levels (normalized to Hprt mRNA) in whole lenses of individual e16.5 Gata3−/−:TghDBH-G3 (n=7) and Gata3+/+ (n=6) embryos as quantified by qRT-PCR. Data are presented as mean±s.e.m. The statistical significance of the differences between Gata3−/−:TghDBH-G3 and Gata3+/+ are indicated (*P<0.05; **P<0.01; Student’s t-test).