Figure 3.

Plk1 plays a crucial role in the pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis induced by PI3K/Akt pathway inhibition. (A and B) qRT-PCR and western blotting showed the Plk1 mRNA and protein levels were decreased after cells were treated with LY294002 for 24 and 48 h respectively. (C) qRT-PCR showed the Plk1 mRNA level was downregulated after cells were treated with shPlk1 for 24 h compared to the EV group, while the Akt level showed no significant difference. (D) Plk1, Akt and apoptosis related proteins were detected by western blotting after cells were treated with EV or shPlk1 for 48 h, respectively. The protein level of Plk1 in the shPlk1 group was decreased while the protein level of Akt showed no significant difference, compared to the control group. Plk1 knockdown could induce cell apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. (E and F) Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and downregulating Plk1 could induce significant apoptosis in pancreatic cancer. Each experiment was performed three times and all data were expressed as mean ± SD, ^**P<0.01, ^***P<0.001.