Morpholino knockdown of VIT induces potent apoptosis in the eye and brain. Wild-type control embryos and embryos injected with VIT-e3i3-MO (E3I3-MO) were stained with acridine orange (AO) at 32 hpf. Apoptotic cells are visible as bright green spots or black spots, and less bright homogenous green or black staining, an unspecific background staining. (A-D) Uninjected wild-type control zebrafish exhibited few or no apoptotic cells in whole organism. In contrast, significantly increased staining was observed throughout the brain and eye in zebrafish injected with 4 ng VIT-e3i3-MO (E-H, red arrows). Lateral view, anterior, left (A-H). (I) Quantification of apoptosis particle number in brain shows a 10-fold increase in VIT morphants (n = 10) at 32 hpf. (J) Quantification of apoptosis particle number in eye shows a 9-fold increase in VIT morphants (n = 10) at 32 hpf.