Fig 1: Localization of RUNX2 and MEPE proteins in the murine cochlea.a Cross-section through a P12 mouse cochlea stained with anti-MEPE-antibody (brown) and counterstained with hematoxylin (blue). b Immunofluorescent staining for RUNX2 (green) was observed in the nuclei (blue) of P2 osteoblasts. g Lack of RUNX2 expression in the adult otic capsule. c – f Immunofluorescence for MEPE (green) developed from more diffuse (c white arrowhead) to more clearly cellularly localized (f white arrows) with age. SL Spiral ligament. Representative images of N = 3 animals per age group. Scale bars: a: 500 µm, b–g 50 µm.