FIGURE 6.

Enhanced processing of caspase-12 and cleavage of caspase-7 in CNGA3^−/−/Nrl^−/− and CNGB3^−/−/Nrl^−/− retinas. The expression levels of caspase-12 and caspase-7 and their processed forms were examined in CNGA3^−/−/Nrl^−/−, CNGB3^−/−/Nrl^−/−, and Nrl^−/− mice at P30. A, shown are representative images of the Western blot detection of caspase-12. Both cytosolic and nuclear fractions were used for this examination. Actin and TATA binding protein were used as loading controls for cytosolic and nuclear fractions, respectively. B, densitometric analysis of the relative levels of processed forms of caspase-12 (casp-12) in the nuclear fractions of CNGA3^−/−/Nrl^−/−, CNGB3^−/−/Nrl^−/−, and Nrl^−/− retina. Data are represented as means ± S.E. of measurements from three to four independent experiments using retinas from four to five mice. Unpaired Student's t test was used for determination of the significance (*, p < 0.05). C, shown are representative images of the Western blot detection of caspase-7. Retinal cytosolic protein preparations were used for this examination. Actin was used as a loading control. IB, immunoblot.