MeCP2J mutant mice have reduced numbers of YFP-expressing cortical neurons.

Abstract

<p>A, C) Fewer YFP⁺ cells are observed across the entire cortex in mutant males (200 µm coronal sections, ∼ Bregma −2.2 mm in WT). Some cortical regions are more dramatically affected than others, such as visual cortex (red arrow) and auditory cortex (blue arrow). Sharp boundaries correspond to functional regions (Au, auditory; S, somatosensory; V, visual; RS, retrosplenial). Scale bar = 0.5 mm. Overall cortical YFP expression patterns are shown as a qualitative heat map in E), where white indicates few to no neurons and dark orange indicates the most dense cortical labeling. The number of YFP⁺ cells is generally higher in rostral and medial region in both genotypes. B) Fluorescent Nissl staining (red) of L5 motor cortex. A limited subset of pyramidal neurons express YFP. Scale bar = 100 µm. D) Neuronal density is increased in frontal (Fr), motor (M) and retrosplenial (RS) cortex in mutant mice. F) The percentage of YFP⁺ pyramidal neurons is reduced in three cortical regions (F, frontal; M, motor; RS, retrosplenial).</p