Figure 4.

Loss of NEK7 Alters Interneuron Morphology In Vitro

(A) Schematic of experimental design. pDIO-shRNA was transfected in Nkx2-1Cre primary cortical cultures.

(B–D) Confocal Z projections of Nkx2-1Cre interneurons from cortical cultures transfected with control shRNA (B), Nek7 shRNA (C), and mNek7 for rescue (D) expressing mCherry. The cells were automatically reconstructed and masked in black at 12 DIV. Scale bars represent 200 μm.

(E–I) Average of total neurite length (E) and its distribution (F), Sholl analysis (G), total branching points (H), and branching points per unit length (I) of control shRNA (n = 47), Nek7 shRNA (n = 45), and rescue (n = 46) transfected neurons from three or four independent cultures. All imaged cells were quantified. Kruskal-Wallis test, pairwise comparisons (E, H, and I), χ² test (F), and two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (G).

^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01, and ^∗∗∗p < 0.001. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. See also Figures S6 and S7.