SOX9, MEK1, MEK2, ERK1, ERK2 and p-ERK1/2 expression in renal carcinoma cell lines. (A-C) SOX9, MEK1, MEK2, ERK1, ERK2 and p-ERK1/2 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in human renal carcinoma cell 786-O, A498 compared to OS-RC-2, 769-P and GRC as assayed by RT-PCR and qPCR (with β-actin as internal control) and Western blot (with GAPDH as internal control) analysis (mean ± SD of three independent experiments, P < 0.05). D: Overexpression of SOX9 protein in renal cell carcinoma tissues (According to the Fuhrman grade: 1: c, d; 2: e, f; 3: g, h; 4: i, j) compared to adjacent tumoral tissues (a, b), represented by nuclear brown staining, was further shown by immunohistochemistry (nuclear counterstain with hematoxylin). Original magnification × 400.