FIG. 1.

Wnt-1 expression alters Rat-1 fibroblast morphology and growth. (A) Transient expression of Wnt-1 protein by recombinant adenovirus expression vector in Rat-1 fibroblasts. Western blot analysis of cell lysates shows Wnt-1 protein expressed in cells at multiple days (days 1 to 5) after infection with Ad/Wnt-1 (lanes 2 to 6) (MOI = 5) but not with the control, Ad/LacZ (Z) (MOI = 5) (lane 7), or after mock infection (M) (lane 1). Wnt-1 was detected with anti-HA antibody (Anti-HA). (B) Stable expression of Wnt-1 and Wnt-5A proteins in Rat-1 stable cell lines, Rat-1/Wnt-1 and Rat-1/Wnt-5A. Western blot analysis of cell lysates shows Wnt-1 (lane 2) and Wnt-5A (lane 3) proteins expressed, as compared to control cells (lane 1). Wnt-1 and Wnt-5A proteins were detected with anti-HA antibody. (C) Wnt-1 alters Rat-1 fibroblast morphology and growth. Phase-contrast microscopy of polyclonal Rat-1/Wnt-1 and Rat-1/Wnt-5A stable cell lines shows that Rat-1/Wnt-1 cells attain an elongated, refractile morphology and densely pack in cord-like bundles, in contrast to Rat-1/Wnt-5A cells.