Fig 1: Characterization of mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis and mitophagy pathways. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis for studying mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis and mitophagy in muscle tissues of normal weight (N) and overweight (OW) patients. (A) Levels of mRNA and proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics. (mRNA levels of mitofusin 2 (MFN 2 ) and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1 ) and protein levels of mitofusin 2 (MFN 2), optin atrophy protein 1 (OPA1), dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and mitochondrial fission 1 protein (FIS1). Bar charts show means of mRNA relative expression and semi-quantitative optical density (O.D.) ± SEM. (B) Levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PPARGC1A ) involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Bar charts show means of mRNA relative expression ± SEM. (C) Levels of proteins involved in mitophagy (Bcl-2 nineteen-kilodalton interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) and Bcl-2 nineteen-kilodalton interacting protein 3-like (BNIP3L/NIX)). Bar charts show means of semi-quantitative optical density (O.D.) ± SEM. (D) Representative immunoblots of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy markers. Ponceau staining was used as a loading control *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.