Figure 4.

Phosphorylation of eIF2α on serine 51 (Ser51) decreases the stabilization and translocation of p53 to the mitochondria in statin-induced apoptosis. MethA cells transfected with wild-type eIF2α (eIF2α-WT) and cells transfected with the eIF2α mutant (Ser51/A) were exposed to 1–2 μM simvastatin or lovastatin for 24 h. (A) Subgenomic DNA content and (B) loss of MMP were analyzed by flow cytometry. (C) MethA cells transfected with wild-type or mutant eIF2α were treated with 1 μM simvastatin for 9 h. Phosphorylation of eIF2α and expression of p53 and Bax were examined by western blot analysis.