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Figure 3. In situ hybridization of xak-c mRNA on skin of tadpoles and adults. Histologic sections were prepared from tadpoles at stage 56 (A,B), 57 (C,D), 61 (E,F), and adults (G,H) and used for in situ hybridization of xak-c mRNA (A,C,E,G) and hematoxylin and eosin staining (B,D,F,H). The epidermis at stage 56 contained apical cells (ap), skein cells (sk), and small basal cells (bs). The skin at stage 57 showed drastic changes in its connective tissue (ct-1) compartment. Fibroblasts (f) increased their number and invaded into collagen layers (cl). Basal cells also increased their number and became larger in size than at stage 56. The epidermis at stage 61 did not contain apical cells or skein cells, and basal cells started to get into the path of the terminal differentiation to spinous and granular (gr) cells. New connective tissues (ct-2) were formed between the basement membrane and collagen layers. Secretory glands (gl) were developed. The adult skin produced the cornified layer (c) and well-developed glands. Sense probes did not show any appreciable stains in in situ hybridization experiments. Identical in situ experiments were performed four times, and similar results were obtained reproducibly. Scale bar = 20 mu m in A (applies to A-H). |
