SPK1 (A) and SPK2 (B) mRNA expression in rat arteries detected by real-time PCR. “Cerebral” refers to Circle of Willis and proximal middle cerebral artery, “aorta” to thoracic aorta and “mesenteric” to superior mesenteric artery and secondary branches. Aortic and cerebral vessels were taken from 6 animals. Cycle thresholds for 18S rRNA from cerebral and aorta samples did not statistically differ. Data are expressed as average of ratios over 18S rRNA amplified from the same samples. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 versus aorta, † P<0.05, †† P<0.01 versus mesenteric; one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.
C, D, control agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products, shows single bands for either SPK1 or SPK2.