PTEN is a target of miR-19a/b that suppresses reprogramming.

<p>A. Western blot analysis showed that PTEN protein expression decreased in IMR90 cells transfected with miR-19a or miR-19b mimics. GAPDH was used as loading control. B. Western blot analysis showed that PTEN protein expression decreased gradually during the early stage of iPS induction in IMR90 cells by 4F. GAPDH was used as loading control. C. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis confirmed the knockdown of PTEN with its shRNAs in IMR90 cells. 18S and GAPDH were used as loading control in qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. <i>Error bars, s.d.; n = 3</i>. *, <i>p<0.05</i>;**, <i>p<0.01; ***, p<0.001</i>. D. Knockdown of PTEN enhanced the reprogramming of IMR90 cells induced by 4F. The induction efficiency was normalized to 4F plus shRNA control (shCtrl). <i>Error bars, s.d.; n = 3</i>. *, <i>p<0.05</i>;**, <i>p<0.01; ***, p<0.001</i>. E. The enhancing effect of miR-17∼92 on iPSC induction with IMR90 cells was attenuated by PTEN overexpression. <i>Error bars, s.d.; n = 6. *, p<0.05;**, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001</i>. F. A representative image of alkaline phosphatase staining for <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0095213#pone-0095213-g004" target="_blank">figure 4E</a> was showed.