Immunoblotting revealed that the STARD4-mediated downregulation of Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic) expression was concurrent with upregulated Bax expression and increased caspase-3 cleavage (Fig. 4F), mechanistically validating the ability of STARD4 to induce apoptosis in PCa. This evidence concerns the gene STARD4 and posterior cortical atrophy.