Figure 3. ATG5 and BECN1 were involved in UA-induced autophagy in MCF-7 cells. (A) Effects of UA treatment on BECN1 and ATG5 expression. MCF-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of UA for 24 h, and then expression of BECN1 and ATG5 was analyzed by western blotting. (B) Effects of BECN1 and ATG5 knockdown on UA-induced LC3-I to LC3-II conversion. The cells were transfected simultaneously with 50 nmol/L of BECN1 and 50 nmol/L of ATG5 siRNAs using siPORT™ NeoFX™ Transfection Agent. After 24 h transfection, the cells were treated with 20 μM UA for 24 h. LC3 was analyzed by western blotting. (C) Effects of BECN1 and ATG5 knockdown on UA-induced apoptosis measured by sub-G₁ analysis (n = 3, **p < 0.01). (The blots shown are representative of three independent experiments).