Fig. 5.

Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis of selected genes in primary cultured astrocyte following 12 h of exposure to aluminum and some known apoptotic agents. Aluminum did not affect the expression of activating transcription factors (ATF) 6α and β. Total RNA was analyzed by RT-PCR for the mRNA expressions of PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), ATF6α and β and GAPDH in primary cultured astrocytes. Cells were treated with tunicamycin (5 μg/ml) or Al-gly (0.1 mM) for 12 h. The results are representative of three independent analyses from two replicate cultures