Fig. 7. Ectopic expression of S37A ß-catenin causes phenotype loss of chondrocytes. (A) Chondrocytes were transfected with empty vector (Con) or S37A ß-catenin. After 72 hours incubation, expression of type II collagen, ß-catenin, Jun and connexin 43 (Cx43) was determined (left). TCF/LEF activity was determined by TOPFlash assay and accumulation of sulfated proteoglycan was determined by Alcian Blue staining and quantified in control cells (C) or cells transfected with S37A ß-catenin (S37A) (right). (B) Type II collagen and ß-catenin were double stained in chondrocytes transfected with S37A ß-catenin and analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy.