Figure 4.

Ureters of miR-143/145–deficient mice show abnormal contractility. Exposed ureters (arrowheads) of anesthetized 3-month-old WT and miR-143/145 KO female mice. Quantification of peristaltic activity. The number of ureteral contractions in a 3-minute period was significantly higher in miR-143/145 KO compared with WT mice. Peristalsis in WT mice occurred in normal, wave-like fashion from the proximal (renal) ureter toward the bladder, whereas in KO mice it was characterized by frequent, incomplete contractions that failed to propagate in a proximal-distal direction. ^∗∗∗P < 0.001. k, kidney; u, ureter.