Analysis Tools
nervous system
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• at P5, mutant SCGs display increased apoptotic cell death relative to wild-type SCGs
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• homozygotes exhibit a defect in the final positioning (i.e. rostral migration) of SCG precursors between E11.5 and E14.5
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• adult homozygotes display either absence or a severe size reduction of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG)
• at P1, many mutant SCG neurons appear immature showing a small cell body and nucleus and absence of nucleoli, and exhibit a significant reduction in Ret expression suggestive of improper differentiation
• however, no significant differences are observed in other PNS ganglia, in the enteric nervous system, or in the cell number and location of developing DRG and trigeminal ganglia relative to wild-type mice
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• the SCG may be absent in adult homozygotes
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• the size of SCG may be severely reduced in adult homozygotes
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• adult homozygotes exhibit an abnormal SCG with only a few neuronal cells, some of which appear to be undergoing degeneration
• although the mutant SCG cell number is normal at E11.5, it reaches 60%-80% of wild-type values between E12.5 and P1, and is only 50% and 0%-5% of wild-type values at P7 and P60, respectively, indicating progressive SCG cell death after birth
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• unlike wild-type mice, adult homozygotes show lack of sympathetic innervation by SCG neurons, as evidenced by the absence of TH-positive fibers in the submandibular gland and the superior tarsus muscles
• impaired projection of SCG neurons is already noted at P1, prior to the occurrence of progressive cell death (P5)
• in contrast, ChAT-positive parasympathetic fibers are detectable in the submandibular gland and the superior tarsus muscles, and the parasympathetic ganglia that innervate the submandibular gland remain unaffected
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vision/eye
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• adult homozygotes exhibit ptosis in the absence of other external abnormalities
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cellular
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• at P5, mutant SCGs display increased apoptotic cell death relative to wild-type SCGs
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• homozygotes exhibit a defect in the final positioning (i.e. rostral migration) of SCG precursors between E11.5 and E14.5
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