Effect of SP600125 inhibitor on STAT3 phosphorylation and cellular activity. Treatment of cells with SP600125 for 24 h had no effect on total JNK1/2 levels in the two cell lines evaluated, while it led to reduced levels of p-c-Jun in a dose-dependent manner. Selective inhibition of JNK1/2 also resulted in the downregulation of p-STAT3 (Ser727) and upregulation of p-STAT3 (Tyr705), which was most pronounced at the highest concentration tested in both cell lines. Cyclin D1 levels increased in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Contr, control; STAT, signal transducer and activator of transcription; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase; p-, phosphorylated.