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. 2014 Mar 19;369(1638):20130105. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0105

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Effects of oestrogen receptor α (ERα) on voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) expression and activity in MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with ERα (MDA-MB-231-ERα cells). (a) Basal levels of nNav1.5 mRNA were significantly lower in MDA-MB-231-ERα cells (ERα) compared with control cells expressing only the plasmid vector (VC5; p < 0.001; n = 4). (b) Treatment of MDA-MB-231-ERα cells with the ER antagonist ICI-182,780 (ICI; 1 µM) for more than 72 h significantly increased the nNav1.5 mRNA level, compared with non-treated cells (Cntl; p < 0.001; n = 4). (c) Similar treatment with ICI-182 780 for more than 48 h significantly increased the number of cells with VGSC activity, in comparison with those grown in normal medium (5% FBS–Cntl) as determined by patch-clamp recording (Fisher's exact test: p < 0.001; n = 73 cells). (d) Treatment of MDA-MB-231-ERα cells with ICI-182,780 for more than 72 h significantly increased the lateral motility of the cells (p < 0.01; n = 4). Further information is given in the supplementary Methods section.