Fig. 4
Ca2+-dependent proteolysis and calpain-2 are associated with rd1 photoreceptor cell death. A Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showing enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the biological process (BP) “Positive regulation of proteolysis” (GO: 0045862). B DEGs enriched in the BP “Membrane protein proteolysis” (GO: 0033619). C DEGs enriched in the BP “Membrane protein ectodomain proteolysis” (GO: 0006509). D DEGs enriched in the BP "Positive regulation of proteolysis involved in protein catabolic process” (GO:1903052). E TUNEL assay labelled dying cells (magenta) in wild-type (wt) and rd1 retinal explant cultures. DAPI (grey) was used as nuclear counterstain. Untreated (Untr.) wt and rd1 retina compared to retina treated with the calpain-2 selective inhibitor NA-184. Scatter plot shows percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in outer nuclear layer (ONL). Statistical comparison: Student’s t-test performed between rd1 Untr. and rd1 NA-184. INL = inner nuclear layer, GCL = ganglion cell layer; scale bar = 50 µm