Journal:
Article Title: Abnormal skin, limb and craniofacial morphogenesis in mice deficient for interferon regulatory factor 6 ( Irf6 )
doi: 10.1083/ng1903
Figure Lengend Snippet: Skeletal defects in mice deficient for Irf6. (a) Skeletal structures of E17.5 wild-type (WT) and newborn mutant (M) embryos were stained for bone (alizarin red S) and cartilage (alcian blue). (b) The spine showed equal numbers of vertebrae in wild-type and null embryos. However, vertebrae in the mutant appeared smaller and showed delayed ossification. The mutant tail was substantially shorter. (c) There were equal numbers of ribs in the wild-type and null embryos, but the sternum appeared shorter with delayed ossification. The xiphoid process (xp) was bifid in the null embryo, demonstrating a failure of complete fusion of the thoracic cage. (d) The long bones were slightly shorter in null versus wild-type littermates, but both null and wild-type embryos showed normal surrounding muscle when skin was dissected. Proximal bones of the upper and lower limb were present in the null embryos, but distal structures, notably the digits, were severely abnormal. Forepaws were magnified to display synostosis of digits and absence of distal phalanges. (e) Skulls from wild-type and null embryos in lateral (top), superior (bottom left) and inferior (bottom right) views. Mandibles were removed for inferior views. The mandible in the null embryo was smaller with a narrower angle than in the wild-type, and the snout was also shorter in the null embryo. The palate shelves (p) in the wild-type embryo fuse along the midline, but the null embryo has a cleft palate. The palate shelves of null embryo are posteriorly and laterally displaced, allowing for direct viewing of nasal structures, including the vomer (v). The presphenoid (ps) is absent in the mutant. Similar results were obtained from three skeletal preparations.
Article Snippet: We generated rabbit polyclonal antibodies against Irf6 (ref. 17 ) and purchased antibodies for Sfn and Ikka (Santa Cruz Biotech).
Techniques: Mutagenesis, Staining