<i>mitfa</i> and <i>mitfb</i> expression is decreased in <i>otx</i> morphants.

<p>Expression of <i>mitfa</i> (A–D) and <i>mitfb</i> (E–H) was examined through in situ hybridization at the 21 somite stage in embryos injected with a control morpholino (A,E), or morpholinos against <i>otx1a</i> (B,F), <i>otx1b</i> (C,G), or <i>otx2</i> (D,H). In situ hybridization analysis revealed a decrease in <i>mitfa</i> expression in the developing RPE cells (black arrows) but not in the neural crest cells (white arrows) of <i>otx</i> single morphants (D) and when compared to controls (A). <i>mitfb</i> expression was also reduced specifically in the RPE (black arrows) of <i>otx</i> morphants (F–H) compared to the controls, leaving epiphysis expression unaffected (white arrows). All morphants were processed simultaneously with approximately 50 larvae for each condition and the experiment was repeated twice.