Figure 8.
Higher level of ATP synthase protein in presynaptic terminals of Pink1/Parkin DKO mice. (A) Representative confocal micrographs of immunohistochemistry for mitochondrial protein ATP synthase β subunit (ATP Syn) in presynaptic terminals (arrowheads) of tibialis anterior NMJs in the Pink1/Parkin DKO mice at ages between P85 and P110 compared to wild–type mice of the same age. Presynaptic terminals of NMJs were defined by anti-neurofilament and anti-synaptophysin staining pattern (NF + Synp). Postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors were labeled with Alexa 594-conjugated α-bungarotoxin (BTX). In these cross-section images of NMJs, presynaptic terminals are above the bungarotoxin signal, and postsynaptic myotubes are below the bungarotoxin signal. Scale bar: 10 μm. (B) Average signal intensity of ATP synthase β subunit is greater in presynaptic terminals of Pink1/Parkin DKO mice than in those of wild-type mice. Quantifications are from n = four animals and 97–101 NMJs for each genotype in confocal images. Graph shows mean ± SEM. Asterisks indicate significant differences as analyzed by un-paired t-test (*p < 0.05).