MEF2Cα2 promotes myogenesis in C2C12 cells.
A, C2C12 cells were transfected with constructs expressing vector, MEF2Cα1, or MEF2Cα2. Expression of the isoforms was confirmed by qRT-PCR. Error bars show mean ± S.D. ***, p < 0.001. B, protein expression of the epitope-tagged MEF2C isoforms was confirmed by Western blot analysis. C, differentiation-specific gene expression is induced by overexpression of MEF2Cα2. Gene expression was assayed for the indicated genes by qRT-PCR. Error bars show mean ± S.D. ***, p < 0.001. D, overexpression of MEF2Cα2 promotes myotube formation, whereas MEF2Cα1 is inhibitory. The cell lines in A were differentiated for 3 days, immunostained with antibodies against MHC, and counterstained with DAPI. Images were taken at ×200 magnification. Scale bars = 5 μm. The data are quantitated in the bottom panels.