Fig. 5

ELK-1 siRNA attenuated the DADS-induced inhibition of apo(a) expression in HepG2 cells. a, b DADS activated p-ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner as determined by western blot analysis. Effects of ELK-1 phosphorylation on inhibition of ELK-1 expression and protein levels of p-ELK-1, as determined by western blot analysis. HepG2 cells were transfected with ELK-1 siRNA or control siRNA (NA) for 12 h before treatment with DADS (40 μg/mL). c, d Western blot analysis and densitometric quantification of apo(a) levels in protein extracts from each group. e mRNA level of apo(a) was determined by qRT-PCR; f The levels of secreted apo(a) were determined by ELISA. Each experiment was performed in triplicate, and the results are expressed as mean ± SD. *p < 0.05 versus control, +p < 0.05 versus DADS +NC (negative control)