Down-regulation of the αA, αB, β and γ-crystallins caused by the miak mutation of Pitx3.

Confocal images show the double-labeled crystallin proteins (red) and DAPI (blue) in the lenses of wild-type and miak/miak mice at E12.5. Scale bar = 100 µm. A. The αA-crystallins labeling of the lens. The expression patterns of αA-crystallins were similar in the lens epithelium (le) and lens fiber (lf) of the wild-type and miak mice; however, the αA-crystallins signals may be slightly reduced in the miak mice. B. The αB-crystallins labeling of the lens. The αB-crystallin signals were not detected in the miak/miak. C. The β-crystallin labeling of the lens. The β-crystallin signals were barely detected in the miak/miak lens. D. The γ-crystallin labeling of the lens. Immunohistochemistry reveals the dramatically reduced γ-crystallin signals in the miak mice as well as ectopic expression in the anterior region of the lens.