The W270N mutation renders HO-1 susceptible to proteolysis. A, confocal images of HEK293 cells co-transfected with YFP-HO-1-W270A or YFP-HO-1-W270N and ER-DsRed. B, subcellular localization of HO-1 examined by Western blot analysis of different fractions isolated from HEK293 cells 24 h after transfection with plasmids coding for YFP-HO-1-FL, YFP-HO-1-W270N, or YFP-HO-1-CΔ24. C, HEK293 cells were transfected with plasmids coding for YFP-HO-1-FL, YFP-HO-1-W270A, or YFP-HO-1-W270N, then, 24 h later, the microsomal fractions were prepared and HO activities measured. The activity was normalized to the corresponding microsomal HO-1 protein level determined by Western blot analysis. The specific activity in cells expressing YFP-HO-1-FL was taken as 100%. *, p < 0.01 versus cells expressing YFP-HO-1-FL. n = 5 in each group.