(A–X) Transverse sections through defined regions of the cochlear duct
(Base, Mid, Apex) from control and
Esrp1−/− embryos stained for
Atoh1 mRNA (A–F), Pou4F3 protein (G–L) and
Hey2 mRNA (M–R) at E16.5 (n=5 or 6).
Staining in prosensory domain is marked with a bracket. Weak
Atoh1 expression at the apex of the cochlear duct in
control embryos (C) is consistently absent in
Esrp1−/− embryos at this
stage. (S–X) Transverse sections through the organ of Corti of control
and Esrp1−/− newborn pups (P0)
stained for MyoVIIa and Sox2. Sox2 staining persists in hair cell nuclei of
Esrp1−/− embryos (arrow
heads in W). Scale bar = 100μm (A–F, M–R),
10μm (G–L) and 5μm (S–X). (Y) Schematic of the
gene regulatory network controlling hair cell differentiation. Abbreviations:
inner hair cell (ihc), outer hair cells (ohc), medial (M), lateral (L). See also
Figures S4 and S5
and Table S2.