Figure 4.

Thapsigargin impairs cytoskeletal dynamics via mTOR-RhoA pathways in A549 cells. The changes in the protein levels of RhoA and pS6 (S240/244) by thapsigargin treatment (1 μM for 6 and 24 h) in A549 cells were shown by Western blots (a) and histograms (b). Results are averages of four independent experiments. Data represent mean ± SEM. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. (c) Schematic representation highlighting the models of thapsigargin inducing cell apoptosis by impairing actin cytoskeletons in A549 cells. Thapsigargin may induce cell death in A549 cells, by disrupting the actin cytoskeleton organizations, which is mediated by inhibiting mTOR-RhoA-Cofilin-1 pathways.