Fig. 9.

Depletion of furin attenuates EMT and metastatic potential of PTC cells. (A) PTC cells were transfected with a control shRNA vector or two different FURIN shRNA constructs. After transfection, cells were lysed and proteins were immuno‐blotted with antibodies against Furin, E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, Zeb1, Twist, and β‐Actin as indicated (n = 3). (B, C) Knockdown of FURIN decreases the invasive ability of PTC cells. PTC cells were transfected with FURIN shRNA's and cells were subjected to invasion assay. (scale bar = 1 mm). Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (D) Knockdown of FURIN decreases the migratory ability of PTC cells. PTC cells were transfected with FURIN shRNA's and cells were subjected to migration assay. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (E) The co‐inhibition of MEK and furin further reduce EMT in PTC cells. PTC cells carrying either empty vector or FURIN shRNA were treated with selumetinib (20 nM) for 48 h. After cell lysis, proteins were immuno‐blotted with antibodies against Furin, E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, Zeb1, Twist, and β‐Actin as indicated (n = 3). (F, G) The co‐inhibition of MEK and furin further decreases the invasion and migration of PTC cells. PTC cells carrying either empty vector or FURIN shRNA were treated with selumetinib (20 nM) for 48 h and the cells were subjected to invasion and migration assay. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). Statistical analyses were performed using two‐tailed Student's t‐tests. *P < 0.05.