Fig. 5.

Time-dependent increases of DRG α₂δ mRNA in nerve-ligated rats. Total RNA was extracted from two pooled L5/L6 DRGs or one L4 DRG at the designated time after nerve ligation, and α₂δ mRNA levels were examined by RNase protection assays. A, Representative autoradiography showing the α₂δ and cyclophilin (Cyclo.) probes protected by their corresponding mRNAs. α₂δ bands had longer exposure times than did cyclophilin bands because of the low abundance of the α₂δ mRNA. Each pair of samples was taken from the same rat on the contralateral side (lane labeledC) or surgery side (lane labeledIp). B, Summarized time-dependent increase of α₂δ mRNA after nerve ligation. The percentage increase of α₂δ mRNA was defined by comparing α₂δ band densities in the injury side with those in the contralateral (contral.) side after using the ratio of the α₂δ band to the cyclophilin band to correct for differences in RNA loading. Data presented are the means ± SEM averaged from four independent experiments.wk, Week.