PTEN is involved in miR-221 regulated EMT through β-catenin/cJun signaling pathway induced migration and invasion.

<p>(A) Both QBC939 and HuCCT1 cells were transfected with PTEN siRNAs then treated with or without miR-221 inhibitor to evaluate cell invasion and migration activities using a cell invasion assay in transwell chambers. Representative images of cells migrated into the lower chamber were shown (left panel, original magnification: X100), and quantitative data were also presented (right panel). (right panel, ^★★★P<0.001 indicates PTEN siRNAs, miR-221 inhibitor or a mixed PTEN siRNAs with miR-221 inhibitor <i>vs</i>. BC. ^$$$P<0.001 means a mixed PTEN siRNAs with miR-221 inhibitor <i>vs</i>. miR-221 inhibitor). The average numbers of cells per field of view from three different experiments are plotted. Negative control 1: mock control for siRNA containing only transfection reagent; Negative control 2: negative control for miR-221 inhibitor. (B) Morphological investigations of QBC939 and HuCCT1 cells. The cells were transfected with PTEN siRNAs then treated with or without miR-221 inhibitor. Cells transfected with siRNA containing only transfection reagent or scrambled oligonucleotide were used and named as Negative control 1 and Negative control 2 respectively (original magnification: ×200). (C) Both of the QBC939 and HuCCT1 cells were transfected with siRNA containing only transfection reagent, scrambled oligonucleotide, PTEN siRNAs and treated with or without miR-221 inhibitor and then the cells lysate were examined with indicated antibodies by Western blot. β-actin was used as loading control.