Figure 2.

Protein level changes of ECM proteins Bcan and Tnr confirmed by immunoblotting. (a) Synaptic protein (Syn) and total protein (Total) fractions were isolated from the mPFC of a group of animals (independent of iTRAQ experiment) and analyzed by immunoblotting using antibodies against Tnr and Bcan. Representative examples are shown. Levels of immunodetected bands were normalized to proteins on a coomassie (coom)-stained gel that was run in parallel. (b) Optical densities (blot, coomassie) were analyzed and set to the saline control. A significant decrease was detected in the level of Tnr 160 kDa isoform and Bcan 145 kDa isoform in synaptic fractions of the mPFC. Tnr and Bcan protein levels were unaltered in the total mPFC homogenate. (c) The mRNA level of Tnr and Bcan was unaltered in the mPFC during forced abstinence from heroin self-administration. All data are mean±SEM. ^*p<0.05 (Student t-test).