Fig. 1.

The expression of the B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) family of proteins in primary cultured astrocytes in the presence of aluminum. a Western blot analysis of Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and Bcl2 protein expression in primary astrocytes cultured in the absence (C control) or presence of graded doses of aluminum glycinate (Al-gly; 0.0125–0.1 mM) for 24 h. The membrane was stained with Bcl2 monoclonal primary antibodies followed by horseradish peroxidase-conjugated second antibody. The same membrane was subsequently stripped for Bax and α-tubulin analyses. The results are representative of about six blots obtained from three different exposure regimens. b Bcl2 and Bax mRNA expressions in primary astrocytes cultured for 24 h in the absence (C control) or presence of tunicamycin (Tu, 5 μg/ml) and Al-gly (0.1 mM). Total RNA was analyzed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for the expression of Bcl2 and Bax. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was analyzed as internal standard. The results are representative of three independent analyses from two replicate cultures