Fig. 4: Protein analysis of MMP9, synaptic markers and genetically associated molecules.
From: Molecular profiling of the hippocampus of children with autism spectrum disorder
Western blot analysis was conducted on the extracellular matrix protease MMP9 and the synaptic markers PSD95 and SYN1, as well as the genetically associated molecules MEF2C and DGCR6. A No difference was observed for the 92 kDa isoform of MMP9, whereas expression of the 82 kDa (B) and 65 kDa (C) isoforms were increased in children with ASD. D Representative Western blots of MMP9. Expression of the broad postsynaptic marker PSD95 was decreased in children with ASD (E), along with decreased expression of the 86 kDa (F) and 80 kDa (G) isoforms of the synaptic marker SYN1. Expression of MEF2C, a molecule associated with ASD in genetic studies, was significantly decreased in children with ASD (H), whereas no difference was observed for expression of genetically associated molecule DGCR6 (I). Significance values are derived from stepwise linear regression models. Bar graphs depict the mean (histogram), black circles depict values for each subject and black lines the 95% confidence intervals.
