Fig. 5.

The MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays an important role in furin‐mediated cell growth and apoptosis. (A) TPC‐1 cells carrying empty vector or FURIN cDNA were treated with selumetinib (20 nM) for 48 h and the cells were subjected to clonogenic assay. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (B) PTC cells were transfected with FURIN siRNA and treated with selumetinib (20 nM) for 48 h and the cells were subjected to clonogenic assay. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (C) TPC‐1 cells carrying empty vector or FURIN cDNA were treated with selumetinib (20 nM). After 48 h, cells were analyzed for apoptosis by annexin‐V/PI. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (D) PTC cells were transfected with FURIN siRNA and treated with selumetinib (20 nM). After 48 h, cells were analyzed for apoptosis. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). Statistical analyses were performed using two‐tailed Student's t‐tests. *P < 0.05.