Fig. 4

a Anti-apoptotic effect of fusion proteins in serum and growth factor-deprived PC12 cells. NGF-differentiated PC12 cells were NGF and serum deprived and then were exposed to various concentration of Bcl2-hTTC, TTC, or vehicle alone (controls). Cell survival was assessed by an MTT assay. The percentage of cell survival was determined 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure. An anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl2-hTTC, particularly at 400 nM, was observed compared to the control as analyzed by a post hoc test (Fisher’s PLSD). TTC alone also showed a mild cytoprotective effect. * p < 0.01, ** p < 0.001, *** p < 0.0001. Values were means ± s.e. (n = 8). b Cytosolic distribution of cytochrome C in PC12 cells following withdrawal of trophic support. In PC12 cells pretreated with Bcl2-hTTC (n = 4), the amount of cytochrome C release was less than that seen for untreated PC12 cells (control, n = 4) and cells treated with TTC (n = 4). Although these did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.39, control vs. Bcl2-hTTC)