Fig. 2

Cx37-deficiency does not affect expression of Cx40 while Cx40-deficiency reduces expression of Cx37. a-b Total mRNA was isolated from aortas obtained from WT, Cx37^−/−, Cx40^−/− or Cx40^+/− mice (N = 3). Thereafter, the expression of Gja4 (A, the gene coding for Cx37) or Gja5 (B, the gene coding for Cx40) was assessed by real-time PCR. Cx40 is expressed at WT levels in the Cx37^−/− aortas while Cx37 showed large variation and tended to be reduced in the Cx40^−/− aortas (p = 0.08). Moreover, expression of Cx37 is not reduced in Cx40^+/− aortas. c Representative image of Cx37 and Cx40 protein expression in scraped mouse aortic endothelial cells as assessed by western blot. Tubulin and von Willebrand factor (vWf) were assessed for equal protein loading. d Cx37 protein quantification (N = 6–8). Similar to the expression of Cx37 at the level of RNA, Cx37 expression was reduced by half in Cx40^−/− aortic endothelial cells whereas Cx37 expression was not significantly reduced in Cx40^+/− endothelium. e Cx40 protein quantification (N = 6–8). Cx40 was diminished by half in Cx40^+/− endothelial cells and was not altered in Cx37^−/− endothelium. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. *, ** or *** p < 0.05, 0.01 or 0.001 vs WT control, respectively