Fig. 1
Gαo is required for cerebellar cortex development. a-b Overall cerebellum size of Gnao−/− mice is smaller than that of their wild-type Gnao+/+littermates. Both Gnao+/+ and Gnao−/− mice show the ten typical cerebellar lobules, but the depth of the folia in lobules VI-VII is reduced in Gnao−/− mice (arrows). c-d Cresyl violet staining shows the normal arrangement of the three cortical layers. The ML is thinner in Gnao−/− mice than Gnao+/+ mice. e-f Gαo is abundant in the ML and GCL of Gnao+/+, but undetectable in the ML and GCL of Gnao−/− mice. The asterisks in e highlight the absence of Gαo in PC soma. Note the difference of ML thickness. Scale bars, 500 μm in a-b, 50 μm in c-f. g The intercrural fissure between lobules VI and VII is reduced in Gnao−/− mice. h Cerebellar areas in mid-sagittal sections are smaller in Gnao−/− mice. i ML thickness is reduced in Gnao−/− mice (n = 119 sections from 4 Gnao+/+ mice and 122 sections from 4 Gnao−/− mice). j GCL occupancy is 20% lower in Gnao−/− mice than Gnao+/+ mice. k The number of total GCs in the GCL area is reduced by 27% in Gnao−/− mice. l Occupancy ratios for the GCL (43.4 ± 0.73 in Gnao+/+ mice and 44.8 ± 0.96 in Gnao−/− mice; p = 0.300) and for the ML (45.3 ± 0.97 in Gnao+/+ mice and 43.1 ± 1.33 in Gnao−/− mice; p = 0.248) are similar when the smaller size of the cerebellum in Gnao−/− mice is taken into account. m upper. Genotyping shows the mutant (Gnao−) and the wild type (Gnao+) alleles as 275 and 224 bp, respectively. Lower. Western blot analysis shows the absence of Gαo, but not Gαi. Data are means ± SEM; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.005, ***p < 0.001 vs. Gnao+/+. N.S.; No significant difference, STD; standard marker