Changes in Gja5 expression in gastrocnemius muscle following FAO. The expression of Gja5 is presented as ratio from expression in the ischemic hindlimb and the control hindlimb, using the gastrocnemius muscle of Gja5+/+ and Gja5+/− mice (n=8 animals per group). The expression levels of Gja5 in Gja5+/− mice and Gja5+/+ mice were both 4-fold higher in the ischemic hindlimb 3 days after FAO. No significant difference was observed in Gja5 expression in gastrocnemius muscle between Gja5+/− mice and Gja5+/+ mice. Then the level of Gja5 expression returned to baseline values 7 days after FAO. FAO, femoral artery occlusion; Gja5, gap junction protein α 5; wt, wild type; het, heterozygous.