Transcription activation of putative target genes of RON. The promoter activity in HEK293 cells co-transfected with the indicated target gene reporter plasmids together with RON plasmid at various dosages was determined. The means ± SDs (error bars) were derived from three independent experiments. The promoter activity represented by luciferase activity was analyzed by the Dual-Glo™ Luciferase Assay System at 0, 3, 24 and 48 h after transfection, respectively. The results at 3 and 24 h were shown in 6A and 6B, respectively (P < 0.0001, by two-way analysis of variance test). The promoter activity was shown as fold of RLU (relative to the level of control vector reporter gene after normalization with co-transfected Renilla luciferase activity). This experiment was conducted in triplicate. The promoter activity after EGF treatment was used as a positive control. The empty vector pRLTK was used as an internal control.