Role of MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling for HSD3B2 expression and activity.

<p>(A) Effect of MEK inhibitors on HSD3B2 expression in presence and absence of 8Br-cAMP stimulation assessed in NCI-R cells grown in normal (GM) or starvation (SM) medium for 48 h. Expression was assessed by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies. β-actin served as loading control. Representative Western blots are shown. Quantitative results summarize three independent experiments (mean±SD). (B) HSD3B2 activity under MEK inhibition in presence and absence 8Br-cAMP stimulation assessed in NCI-R cells grown either in normal (GM) or starved (SM) conditions for 48 h. The HSD3B2 activity for converting [3H]DHEA to [3H]androstenedione (%) was assessed. Steroids were extracted and resolved by TLC as depicted. Quantification of three independent experiments (mean±SD) is shown. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01.