Reduction in βNAC protein levels results in a block to proliferation and spontaneous death in a range of human cell types.

<p>(A) MCF7 cells were transfected with pcDNA3-βNAC and treated with siRNA oligos against <i>βNAC</i>, or <i>p84</i> as a control. Lysates were prepared after 72 h and samples probed with antibodies against βNAC, p84 and XIAP. (B) MCF7 cells were treated with three siRNA oligos against <i>βNAC</i> and with an siRNA oligo against <i>p84</i>. After 48 and 72 h, the percentage of cell death in each culture was assessed. (C) MRC5 cells were treated with siRNA oligos and cell death levels assessed as described above. (D) HEK293T cells were treated with siRNA oligos against <i>βNAC</i>, <i>p84</i> and <i>casp-9</i> for 48 h and cell viability and cell death in each culture was assessed. (E) HEK293T cells were treated with siRNA oligos against <i>βNAC</i> or <i>CASP-9</i> for 48 h and phase contrast images taken.