Figure 4. Ovol2 is expressed in mouse PGCs and is required for their development.

(a) Relative expression levels (log₂ scale) of three mouse ovo-like genes (Ovol1, Ovol2, and Ovol3) and three germline markers (Prdm1, Ddx4, and Nanos3) were plotted against cell type (ES cells, epiblast, and PGCs) at the indicated embryonic stages. Data represent means ± SEM of two biological replicates. *Indicates that the microarray signal was detected in only one of two replicates. N.D. Indicates that no signal was detected in either replicate. Successful isolation of PGCs using FACS was confirmed by expression of the early PGC maker Prdm1 (E8.5) and the late PGC makers Ddx4 and Nanos3 (E13.5 and E16.5). (b) PGCs stained with an anti-Oct4 antibody (red) and the nuclei stained with TO-PRO-3 (blue) in mouse E8.0 wild type (Ovol2^+/+), heterozygous (Ovol2^+/−) or homozygous (Ovol2^−/−) embryos for Ovol2. Upper panels show fluorescence images, and lower panels show the corresponding differential interference contrast (DIC) images. Scale bar: 50 μm.