Figure 7
Expression of TSC2 protein in CT-2A and astrocytes in vitro and in vivo: Knockdown of TSC2 reduces procaspase-3 expression in astrocytes under energy stress. a) Western blot analysis of TSC2 protein expression. Two representative samples are shown for each cell and tissue type. CT-2A cells are deficient in TSC2 protein compared to control astrocyte or normal brain. b&c) Astrocytes were transfected with siRNA against the mouse TSC2 and starved for another 24 hours. Whole cell lysates were analyzed for procaspase-3 expression. Procaspase-3 was significantly decreased indicating increased caspase-3 cleavage and apoptosis in TSC2 deficient astrocytes compared to control cells under energy stress.