ZO-1 expression between cones and Müller cell processes are sufficient for the maintenance of rings.

<p>Confocal micrographs of whole-mounts processed for M-opsin immunohistochemical staining in non-targeted siRNA for 24 hr (A), ZO-1 siRNA treated for 24 hr (25uM, B) at P50. ZO-1 siRNA treated RP retinas show disruption of M-opsin cone rings in 24 hrs. The summary graph illustrates mean cone density (C) measured from the 1x1 mm² sampling areas (for details, see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0151668#sec002" target="_blank">methods</a>) of non-targeted siRNA RP and ZO-1 siRNA treated RP retinas (n = 4 animals per group). The density of M-opsin cones in ZO-1 siRNA treated RP retina after 24 hrs showed no significant difference from non-targeted RP retinas. Histograms generated from the Voronoi analysis on the 1x1 mm² sampling areas from non-targeted (D) and ZO-1 siRNA treated RP (E) retinas. Results are shown with survival times of 24 hrs. Examples (~ 170 μm x 170 μm) of the resulting Voronoi domains are shown for each group (D, E). The summary graphs for the mean skewness values obtained from the Voronoi domain distribution curves are plotted for each groups (D, E). Also, the graphs for the mean coefficient of clustering measured in all groups are illustrated (F). Data are presented as mean ± standard error. The symbol * indicates p < 0.05. ZO-1, zonula occludens 1; P, postnatal; D, day; RP, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Scale bar = 100 μm.