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. 2010 Jun 22;8(6):e1000399. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000399

Figure 3. NCS1 overexpression induces neurite sprouting via Akt activation in vitro.

Figure 3

(A–B) Primary cultured adult cortical neurons transduced with control HIV-GFP have low phospho-Akt levels (Phospho-Akt, red; GFP, green; DAPI, blue). (C–D) Transduction of cortical neurons with HIV-GFP-NCS1 induces high phospho-Akt levels (Phospho-Akt, red; GFP, green; DAPI, blue). (E–H) In the presence of the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY249002, low phospho-Akt levels and reduced neurite sprouting were present in NCS1-transduced neurons, but LY249002 affected neither in control neurons. (I) Significant elevated phospho-Akt levels were present only in NCS1-transduced neurons in the absence of LY249002. (J–K) A significant fewer neurite sprouts from cell body and longest neurite was observed in the presence of LY249002 compared to vehicle treated NCS1-transduced neurons. NCS1-transduced neurons with vehicle (red bar), GFP-transduced neurons with vehicle (black bar), NCS1-transduced neurons with LY249002 (striped red bar), and GFP-transduced neurons with LY249002 (striped black bar). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM from n = 3–4 independent experiments. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001, Student's t test. Inserts are higher magnification of corresponding panels. Scale bars: 100 µm.