Figure 10.

Effect of reducing p38 MAPK expression by siRNAs on 5-HT transport. HEK-293 cells were transiently transfected with 200 nm siRNAs targeted to p38 MAPK or scrambled siRNAs before the transfection with hSERT (as described in Materials and Methods). After 24 hr, cells were used for 5-HT transport, p38 MAPK expression, and SERT biotinylation as in Figure 9. A, A representative Western blot from three separate experiments shows the expression levels of total and phospho-p38 MAPK and calnexin. B, 5-HT uptake values are averages from three separate experiments, and data represent mean ± SEM. C, D, SERT expression measurements using biotinylation procedures and quantitation of SERT surface band densities were performed (as described in Materials and Methods and in the legends to Figs. 1 and 4). Representative blots from three independent experiments are shown in C. The data shown in D are averages of band densities from three separate experiments, and data represent mean ± SEM. Values significantly different from SERT plus scrambled siRNAs transfected cells (^*p < 0.05; Student's t test).