Fig. 8.

The ontogeny of expression of LDLR, HMG CoA reductase, PCSK9, and FAS in male +/+ and +/Dsk5 mice. We examined the ontogeny of expression of LDLR, HMG CoA reductase, PCSK9, and FAS in male mice of different ages as well as in young adult female mice. Compared with +/+ mice, we observed a consistent reduction in hepatic LDLR protein expression in all ages and sexes of +/Dsk5 mice. HMG CoA reductase and FAS were increased beginning at 1.5 mo but showed no significant change in the livers of postweaned male mice. HMG CoA reductase but not FAS was increased in the livers of the 3-mo-old female mice. Each point represents a homogenate obtained by combining equal amounts of protein from homogenates obtained from 2 or 3 mice. No consistent differences were seen in PCSK9 for the male mice although the expression of this protein was high in age-matched female mice and appeared to be slightly higher in the +/+ compared with +/Dsk5 mice.