Nigral dopaminergic neurons are protected against MPTP in ASK1^−/− mice.

<p>(A) Western blot for ASK1 in substantia nigra tissue lysates from wild-type and ASK1^−/− mice shows loss of the specific band in the latter group (arrow). The asterisk marks a nonspecific band. (B) Stereological counting of TH positive nigral dopamine neurons following MPTP or saline administration. * p<0.05. (C) Number of Nissl stained TH negative neurons. Saline-WT (n = 5), Saline-ASK1^−/− (n = 5), MPTP-WT (n = 4), MPTP-ASK1^−/− (n = 5). (D) Representative images of TH immunohistochemistry of midbrain sections from wild-type and ASK1^−/− mice treated with saline or MPTP. Scale bar = 200 µm.