Figure 3.
The loss of StarD7 impaired myogenic differentiation in C2C12 cells. (a) After transfection with siRNAs against StarD7 (KD1 or KD2) or control siRNA, C2C12 cells were cultured in differentiation medium for 5 days, then immunostained with anti-MYH6 antibody (green). Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Bars indicate 50 μm. (b) Protein levels of MYH4, MYH6, myogenin and StarD7 were analyzed by western blotting. GAPDH was used as a protein loading control. (c) The mRNA levels of MYH4, MYH6, myogenin, myomaker, myomerger (L), myomerger (S) and PGC-1α were quantified by qPCR. Data were normalized to the GAPDH level. Values shown are means ± S.D. from three independent culture dishes. ***P < 0.001 as compared with control siRNA (one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test). (d) Protein levels of StarD7 in WT and StarD7-KO C2C12 cells were analyzed by western blotting. (e) WT or StarD7-KO C2C12 cells were cultured in differentiation medium for 5 days and phase contrast images were obtained.