FIG 6.

PKCα partially rescues endothelial cell proliferation in Rictor-deficient endothelial cells without affecting vascular assembly. (A and B) WT or Rictor KO endothelial cells were transduced with control LacZ-, PKCα-, or PKCα- and Myr-AKT-expressing adenoviruses. Two days after infection, cells were assayed to measure proliferation (A) or vascular assembly (B). Experiments were repeated 3 times, and data were pooled for statistical analyses (Student t test). Arrowheads indicate BrdU-positive nuclei. (C) The effects of PKCα and Myr-AKT on cell signaling were measured by Western blot analysis. Representative blots for each signaling component are shown. (D) PKCα was knocked down in primary endothelial cells by siRNA-mediated silencing. Knockdown of PKCα was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Forty-eight hours after transfection, cells were assayed for proliferation and vascular assembly. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; N.S., not significant.