FIGURE 4.

Gene and protein expression of LC3B and p62 increases during immobilization and returns to baseline levels during rehabilitation. mRNA expression of LC3B increased during immobilization and returned to baseline values during rehabilitation (A), while protein expression of LC3B remained unchanged during immobilization and rehabilitation (B). After initial problems with detection of LC3B-II, we extracted proteins from the remaining biopsy material using a lysis buffer containing stronger detergents. This allowed us to examine LC3B lipidation before and after immobilization in four subjects, and LC3B lipidation increased in three of those subjects during immobilization (C). Protein and mRNA expression of p62 increased during immobilization (and decreased to baseline values during rehabilitation (D,E). Values are geometric means ± back-transformed SE. ^∗Post hoc test showed significant change during immobilization. Representative western blots (F). Based on the applied molecular standards, approximated molecular weights are indicated on the right. Filled symbols represent subjects from T0 and open symbols represent subjects from T2.