Inactivation of ERK1/2 pathway by antisense morpholino-oligonucleotides abolishes KGF-induced proliferation of Panc-1 cells.

<p>(A) Panc-1 cells were cultured in serum-free medium and treated for 24 h with MEK1 antisense morpholino-oligonucleotides (MEK1-AS, 10 nmol/ml) or standard morpholino-oligonucleotides (Std, 10 nmol/ml). Cell lysates were analyzed by western blot using specific antibody against MEK1. Representative blots and MEK1 protein quantification are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0004734#pone-0004734-g003" target="_blank">Figure 3A</a>. Results are expressed as mean values ±sem of 4 independent experiments. * <i>p</i><0.05. (B) Panc-1 cells were treated with MEK1-AS or Std during 24 h, then stimulated with KGF for 5 minutes before the end of the experiments. Cell lysates were analyzed by western blot for P-ERK1/2 and total-ERK1/2 expression. (C) Panc-1 cells were cultured in serum-free medium and pre-treated with MEK1-AS during 24 h prior the addition of KGF or 10% FBS. BrdU labelling index of Panc-1 cells was evaluated and expressed as the percentage of BrdU-positive Panc-1 cells. Results are presented as mean values ±sem of three independent experiments. * <i>p</i><0.05.