Transient BPDE exposure activates Akt and ERK through EGFR in human bronchial epithelial cells.

<p><i>A</i>, Acute BPDE exposure induces activation of EGFR, Akt, and ERK in BEAS-2B cells. BEAS-2B cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of BPDE for 2 hr. Activation of EGFR, Akt and ERK were detected by Western blot with antibodies recognizing each phosphorylated protein (phosphorylation sites are indicated). β-Actin was detected as an input control. <i>B</i>, Suppression of EGFR attenuates the activation of Akt and ERK in BEAS-2B cells. The expression and activity of EGFR in BEAS-2B cells were suppressed with either EGFR inhibitor III or EGFR siRNA. The cells were then exposed to BPDE (0.4 µM) for 2 hr. The indicated proteins were detected by Western blot. β-Actin was detected as a loading control.