Nicotine exposure leads to activation of downstream targets in the PERK branch of the unfolded protein response in e15 rat placentas.

<p>Protein and mRNA levels of targets of interest were determined via Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. <b>(A)</b> Specific targeted protein bands as detected by respective antibodies via Western blot. <b>(B)</b> Atf4 mRNA levels. <b>(C)</b> Atf4 protein levels. <b>(D)</b> Grp78 mRNA levels. <b>(E)</b> Grp78 protein levels. <b>(F)</b> CHOP mRNA levels. <b>(G)</b> CHOP protein levels. All protein levels were expressed as means normalized to β-Actin ± SEM (n = 5-6/group). All mRNA levels were expressed as means normalized to the geometric mean of three stable housekeeping genes (β-Actin, 18S, and Gapdh) ± SEM (n = 5-6/group).*, Significant difference (p < 0.05). **, Significant difference (p<0.01).