Figure 3

Bnip3 and Nix/Bnip3L expression in rectus abdominis muscle of cancer and control patients.

(A) Bnip3 and (B) Nix/Bnip3L mRNA levels were evaluated by real-time PCR (Bnip3: control, n = 8; non cachectic cancer patients, n = 16; cachectic cancer patients, n = 10; Nix/Bnip3L: control, n = 9; non cachectic cancer patients, n = 16; cachectic cancer patients, n = 11); (C) Bnip3 and (D) Nix/Bnip3L protein levels were evaluated by western blotting (Bnip3: control, n = 11; non cachectic cancer patients, n = 17; cachectic cancer patients, n = 10; Nix/Bnip3L: control, n = 3; non cachectic cancer patients, n = 5; cachectic cancer patients, n = 5): representative western blots for Bnip3, Nix/Bnip3L and GAPDH (loading control) are shown on the lower panel and densitometric quantifications of Bnip3 and Nix/Bnip3L protein levels normalized to GAPDH are shown on the upper panel. Data (mean ± SEM) are expressed as percentage of controls.