<i>MT1</i> mRNA Expression and localization of MT1 and E-cadherin in the submandibular gland of the embryonic mouse.

<p>The expression of <i>MT1</i> mRNA was determined by qPCR analysis (A, B). <i>MT1</i> mRNA expression levels in E14, E15, E16, P1, and P12 were normalized to that in E12.5 (A). <i>MT1</i> mRNA expression levels in the lung, kidney, brain, stomach, and liver were normalized to that in the SMG (B). Bars represent the mean ± SEM. MT1 expression during branching morphogenesis was shown by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy imaging of staining for MT1, E-cadherin, or nuclei. MT1 was expressed at the epithelial plasma membrane (C). The three fluorescence images of the same confocal section are merged. The phase-contrast microscope (PCM) image supports the existence of epithelial buds (open square), indicating the morphology of the whole SMG. Scale bar: 50 μm.