Figure 2

Npas4 mRNA expression during mouse embryonic development. (A) RT-PCR analysis was used to determine Npas4 mRNA expression at various stages of mouse embryonic development ranging from E6.5 to E9.5. RNA was isolated from mouse embryos at the indicated developmental stage and this was used as a template for reverse transcription in a reaction containing either the reverse transcription enzyme (+RT) or water (-RT). The PCR negative control reaction (−) contained water in place of template cDNA. Primers to the reference gene β-actin were used as a positive control for cDNA synthesis. (B) In situ hybridization was performed on whole-mount mouse embryos at E8.0, E9.5 and E10.5 using a DIG-labeled LNA probe that was either complementary to the Npas4 mRNA (Antisense) or was a non-specific control probe (Scrambled). E, embryonic day.