High levels of oncogenic BRAF induce MAP2 expression. A, RT-PCR analysis of MAP2 mRNA expression in (BRAF mutant) 451Lu cells (left) and (RAS mutant) SK-MEL-2 cells stably expressing mBRAF or cells transfected with vector control. Actin served as control for RNA loading. B, immunostaining for MAP2 protein expression in 451Lu (left) and SK-MEL-2 (right). Cells on glass coverslips were stained using anti-MAP2 monoclonal antibody, followed by anti-mouse IgG-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide (PI) and photographed using a Zeiss LSM 510 microscope. C, effects of stabilization of microtubules in MAP2-expressing melanoma cells. Vector control or 451Lu mBRAF2 and mBRAF-SK-MEL-2 cells were plated and treated with varying concentrations of vincristine, and after 3 days, cell growth was measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Data are represented as percentage of cell growth compared with untreated control (p < 0.001).