Figure 2.

Analysis of tissue patterning in the Nf2^CKO optic cup reveals persistence of RPE markers in the open OF. (A–J, M–P: E11.5; K, L: E13.5) A, B: Expression of the pan-ocular protein PAX6 is unaltered in Nf2^CKO eyes (B). Asterisks label overlying OF. C, D: The retina-specific homeodomain protein VSX2 is normally expressed in Nf2^CKO eyes (D). E, F: Analysis of TBX5 expression shows normal patterning of the dorsal optic cup in Nf2^CKO embryos (F; arrow). G, H: In the ventral Nf2^CKO optic cup, the key transcription factor PAX2 is normally localized (H). I, J: Expression of the RPE determination transcription factor OTX2 can be maintained in the open fissure of Nf2^CKO eyes (J, arrows). K, L: At E13.5, coloboma is persistent in Nf2^CKO embryos and the margins of the unclosed OF are lined with OTX2-positive cells (L, arrows). M, N: The bHLH transcription factor MITF is present in the RPE layer of the optic cup (M). In Nf2^CKO embryos, MITF localization extends into the OF (N; arrows). O, P: Axin2 reporter expression, a readout for Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, is not altered in the ventral RPE in Nf2^CKO optic cups (arrows). Sagittal view with nasal orientation to the left. Scale bars: 100 μm in A, E, G.