Characterization of mRNA levels and mRNA stability for SREBF2, HMGCR, and LDLR, and lipid droplets in MO3.13 cells with TDP-43 or SREBF2 knockdown. (A) RT-qPCR for (i) SREBF2, (ii) HMGCR, and (iii) LDLR in MO3.13 cells treated with siRNA-(negative) control, si-TDP-43, and si-SREBF2. The steady-state of SREBF2 and HMGCR mRNA was reduced in TDP-43 and SREBF2 knock-down conditions. Three independent experiments were performed, and three biological samples were performed per experiment. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests was used to evaluate statistical significance: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ****, P < 0.0001. (B) RNA half-lives for (i) SREBF2, (ii) HMGCR, and (iii) LDLR mRNAs in MO3.13 cells treated with siRNA-(negative) control and si-TDP-43. Three independent experiments were performed, and three biological samples were performed per experiment. (C) The relative cholesteryl-BODIPY fluorescent intensity in cells treated with control siRNA, siRNA against TDP-43, or SREBF2. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01. Quantification was done from three independent experiments with >25 cells quantified per experiment. (D) Relative BODIPY-493/503 fluorescent intensity in cells treated with control siRNA, siRNA against TDP-43, or SREBF2. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01. Quantification was done from three independent experiments with >40 cells quantified per experiment. (E) Relative Nile Red fluorescent intensity in cells treated with control siRNA, siRNA against TDP-43, or SREBF2. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01. Quantification was done from three independent experiments with >25 cells quantified per experiment. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests was used to evaluate statistical significance for C–E.