In panel (A), computational alignment of a potential conserved target site in the Cx43 3’UTR and miR-130a. In (B), representative timecourse of Cx43 protein loss after doxycycline removal in αMHC-miR130a hearts compared to controls (n=3, each group). After 2 weeks, we found a steady reduction of Cx43 with near complete loss by 10 weeks after doxycycline removal. In (C), quantitative PCR demonstrated a 52% reduction in Cx43 mRNA at 12 weeks after doxycycline removal (n=5, each group). Western analysis on ventricular lysates (panel D) at the same time point shows >90% reduction in Cx43 protein in αMHC-miR130a hearts compared to controls (n=10 in each group). In panel (E), western blot for both Cx43 and phosphorylated-Cx43 at 12 weeks after doxycycline removal demonstrates significant reduction in both forms of Cx43. * indicates p < 0.001.