Figure 6. PTEN introduction or Akt3 inhibition induce apoptosis in melanomas.
Photographs shows TUNEL-positive cells (an indicator of apoptosis) in tumor xenografts following PTEN expression (6A) or siRNA-mediated reduction of Akt3 protein levels (6B). UACC 903 cells or cells expressing chromosomal PTEN or cells nucleofected with siAkt3 versus siAkt2 (1 × 106) were injected into nude mice and 4 days later processed for TUNEL staining. Data shows that either PTEN expression or Akt3 protein knockdown increased apopotosis compared to controls in which PTEN activity had been lost (revertant) or cells with reduced Akt2 protein levels (Stahl et al., 2004).