FIG. 6.

Akt mediates NOS expression and activity in gonococcus-infected pex cells. NOS2 (130 kDa) and NOS3 (140 kDa) were captured by using the rabbit antibodies H-174 or H-159, respectively, from a 3-h infection of pex cells cultured under conditions that mimic the menstrual cycle luteal phase. Western blotting was performed using the mouse anti-NOS2 antibody C-11 (upper panel) or the goat antibody NOS3-P Ser1177 (lower panel), which recognizes the Akt phosphorylated form of NOS3. An Akt inhibitor was included or omitted from the assays, as noted. The hormone concentrations (0.4 nM E2 plus 0 to 30 nM) are noted across the top of each blot image. UI, uninfected pex cells; No Ab, the anti-NOS antibody was omitted from the initial capture step.