Figure 4.

Par-4 overexpression in cortical neurons facilitates an earlier activation of caspase-3, contributing to a quicker progression through cell death. A. Levels of DEVD fluorescence (a measure of caspase-3 activation) were measured before injury and at specific time points after injury. Caspase-3 becomes activated after mechanical injury in both wild-type (top left) and Par4 transgenic neurons (bottom left). B. Quantification of DEVD fluorescence shows a higher degree of caspase-3 activation at each time point in Par-4 transgenic neurons compared to that in wild-type neurons, except at 24 hrs, when essentially all neurons overexpressing Par-4 have perished. Values are the means and standard derivations of determinations from eight separate cultures (20-30 neurons analyzed per culture). ***p<0.001. ANOVA with Scheffe's post-hoc tests.