Priority Research Paper Volume 12, Issue 19 pp 18804—18821

The slc4a2b gene is required for hair cell development in zebrafish

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slc4a2b gene mutant zebrafish have fewer HC clusters and HCs in the posterior lateral line (PLL). (A, B) The Tg(Brn3c:mGFP);slc4a2bmut zebrafish had fewer HC clusters in the posterior lateral line compared to the controls. Here, the anti-GFP antibody was used to label the HCs. Scale bar = 500 μm. (C) Quantification of the number of HC clusters in the posterior lateral line of the slc4a2b gene mutant zebrafish and controls. ***P < 0.001. (D, E) The Tg(Brn3c:mGFP);slc4a2bmut zebrafish had fewer HCs in each posterior lateral line neuromast compared to controls. Here, anti-GFP antibody and DAPI were used to label the HCs and the nuclei, respectively. Scale bar = 20 μm. (F, G) The Tg(Brn3c:mGFP);slc4a2bmut zebrafish had fewer functional HCs in each posterior lateral line neuromast compared to controls. The successful staining with FM1-43FX dye was as a marker of functional HCs. Scale bar = 20 μm. (H) Quantification of the number of HCs in each neuromast of the slc4a2b mutant zebrafish and controls. *** P < 0.001.