Requirement for SOX9 in precartilaginous condensation. (A,B) H&E staining of hindlimb bud sections from E11.5 Sox9fl/− and Sox9−/− (A), and E12.5 Sox9fl/fl and Sox9fl/flPrx1CreER embryo littermates (B). Arrow, digit 3 PC. (C) Visualization of the actin cytoskeleton in E12.5 Sox9flfl and Sox9flflPrx1CreER mouse limb buds. Sections were stained for SOX9 (red), F-actin (green) and DNA (blue). (Ca,f) Low-magnification images of limb buds. (Cb-d,g-i) High-magnification images within actual (Sox9fl/fl) and failed (Sox9fl/flPrx1CreER) PCs. (Ce,Cj) Images within actual and presumptive interdigital mesenchyme. (Cb-e,g-j) Top panels, merged images for SOX9, F-actin and DNA; bottom panels, F-actin.