Increased ATG5-ATG12 in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma and their role in apoptosis

Figure 4 Apoptosis assays of HepG2 and HepG2. 2.15 cells transfected with shATG12 or shNeg (control). A: Suppression of ATG12 expression was done by RNA interference. Western blotting was used to analyze ATG12 proteins from mock treatment (control) and ATG12 knockdown (shATG12) in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells; B: GAPDH was used as a protein loading control. Cells were transiently transfected with shRNA plasmids for 72 h (normal) and then cultured in EBSS for 4 h (starvation). Bar graphs show the percentage of total apoptotic cells detected by Annexin V binding. Data represent the mean and SE from three independent experiments.