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Figure 4. Cuspal patterning is altered in MUT-M1 at E18. (A color version of this Fig. is included in the APPENDIX.) M1 cuspal surfaces for WT (A) and MUT (B) are displayed from an elevated, anterior viewpoint; representative frontal sections through the widest portion of the same molar models are also depicted (C,D). 3D reconstructions of M1 were generated with 80 and 110 serial frontal sections for MUT and WT, respectively. Although MUT-M1 was overall hypoplastic and had hypoplastic cervical loops compared with WT, it also had altered morphology. Eight cuspal regions lie along the aboral surface of WT-M1 epithelium; 3 primary cuspal regions are labeled in panel A. In contrast, the MUT-M1 epithelial surface was very irregular, with the primary cuspal regions having a very different shape compared with WT, as well as containing unique and prominent mounds (stars), which together dramatically altered cuspal patterning (blue arrowhead). Key: oral epithelium (oe), anterior (ant), posterior (pos), medial (me), lateral (la).
