Molecular characterization of BAD-tg embryos for hypoblast and trophectoderm markers.

<p>A. Real-time RT-PCR measurement of <i>GATA4</i> and <i>FIBRONECTIN</i> expression, normalized to the housekeeper <i>GAPDH</i>, for isolated Day 14 trophectoderm (TE) and hypoblast (Hypo) tissue. B. Mean <i>GATA4</i>, <i>FIBRONECTIN</i> and <i>ASCL2</i> mRNA levels (normalized to three housekeepers) in epiblast containing (black bar) and epiblast-less embryos. For <i>GATA4</i> and <i>FIBRONECTIN</i>, P<0.01 (t-test); error bars represent s.e.m. C. <i>GATA4</i>, <i>FIBRONECTIN</i> and <i>ASCL2</i> mRNA levels (log expression for each gene relative to maximum expression value) in trophoblast/hypoblast fragments of <i>CAG-BAD</i>-overexpressing and control embryos, clustered into epiblast-containing and epiblast–less groups, with number of embryos per group shown in brackets. Coloured markers represent the three sectioned embryos depicted in panels D-F (coloured correspondingly). D. Cross section of CAG-BAD line 1 embryo containing an epiblast but severely reduced/no <i>GATA4</i> expression. E. Cross section of <i>CAG-BAD</i> line 1 embryo without an epiblast, severely reduced <i>GATA4</i> and lower than average <i>FIBRONECTIN</i> expression. F. Embryo as per panel E but showing no altered hypoblast marker expression. Bars are 0.1 mm.