RNF5 in ER-Related Disorders Figure 3. RNF5-overexpression is associated with muscle fiber degeneration. A–C Cross-sections of fresh frozen specimens of triceps brachii (A), tibialis anterior (B) and vastus lateralis (C) muscles from RNF5 STg or rtTA RNF5 DTg animals treated with doxycyclin for 6 wk (H&E stain). Fiber cross-sectional area (CSA mm2) corresponding to each muscle type was calculated and plotted as a percentage of the total number of fibers analyzed (n.200) (right panel). D. Average muscle mass of RNF5 STg and rtTA RNF5 DTg animals treated with doxycyclin for 6 wk. Each muscle was extracted, trimmed under the microscope and weighed on a precision scale (n = 5 for experimental and control groups). E. Average organ mass of RNF5 STg and rtTA RNF5 DTg animals treated with doxycyclin for 6 wk. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001609.g003 PLoS ONE | www.plosone.org 6 February 2008 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | e1609