Fig. 2.

Calcium channel protein levels in L5/L6 DRG and spinal cord of nerve-ligated rats. Total proteins were extracted from ipsilateral or contralateral DRGs (two each) or lumbar dorsal spinal cord quadrants of control or allodynic rats 1 week after the spinal nerve ligation. The protein levels were identified using indicated monoclonal antibodies (for α₂ and eNOS) or polyclonal antibodies (for β₃ and α₁B).A, Representative Western blots each from at least four independent experiments showing protein levels in DRG and lumbar dorsal spinal cord of control and allodynic rats. Membrane extracts of stable HEK293 cells expressing transfected human recombinant α_2bδ, α_1B, and β₃cDNAs were used as respective positive (+) controls. Extracts of endothelial cells were used as positive control for eNOS.Lanes are labeled C, for the contralateral side, and Ip, for the ipsilateral (nerve-ligated) side. B, Nerve ligation-induced increase of the α₂ subunit in ipsilateral DRG and spinal cord compared with respective contralateral (contral.) samples. Data are presented as the means ± SEM from at least 11 (sham) to 16 (ligated) independent experiments (*p< 0.05 by Student's t test and Mann–Whitney test; #p < 0.05 by Student's t test but not by Mann–Whitney test). S.C., Spinal cord.