Figure 3

MAP kinase expression and activation in extracts of DRG removed from control rats and four weeks after ovariectomy (ovx). For each type of MAP kinase, the group data is shown with the Western blot for all samples, run at the same time. A, Relative to β-tubulin measurements in the same extract, levels of total p38 protein were increased after ovx but there was no evidence for increased phosphorylation. B, Relative to β-tubulin measurements in the same culture, there was no effect of ovx on ERK1 expression but phosphorylation was enhanced; in contrast, ovx had no effect on expression or phosphorylation of ERK2. Results represent tissues from 4 rats per group. The same DRG extracts were used for analysis of p38 and ERK1/2. ** P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, relative to control.