Figure 2.

ASK1 and p38 mRNA and protein expression is enhanced in OLK tissues. Total (A) ASK1 and (B) p38 RNA was isolated and quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Fold change values were normalized to GADPH levels. Values are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation of triplicate experiments; *P<0.05 vs. control. Equal aliquots of (C) ASK1 and (D) p38 protein were subjected to western blot analysis with anti-ASK1, anti-p-ASK1, anti-p38, anti-p-p38 and anti-β-actin antibodies. β-actin was used as internal loading control. The control and 6 samples were chosen at random and the experiments were repeated in triplicate. ASK1, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1; mRNA, messenger RNA; OLK, oral leukoplakia; p, phosphorylated.