Effect of RNA interference-mediated silencing of NRF-2α on the
expression of COX and AMPA receptor subunit genes. (A) Western
blots revealed a down-regulation of NRF-2α and GluA2 protein levels
(lane 2) as compared to controls (lane 1), but not GluA1 protein levels, in
NRF-2α shRNA-transfected cells. β-actin served as a loading
control. N = 3 for each data point; ***= P < 0.001 and
*= P < 0.05 when compared to pBS/U6 empty vector
controls. (B) As determined by real-time PCR, NRF-2α shRNA transfection
in N2a cells down-regulated mRNA levels of NRF-2α and
Gria2, but not those of Gria1,
Gria3, and Gria4. mRNA levels of the
positive control, COX7c, were also reduced with NRF-2α
silencing. N = 6 for each data point. ***= P < 0.001
and **= P < 0.01 when compared to pBS/U6 empty vector
controls.