Figure 3. The effect of solamargine and metformin on protein expression of p65 and MUC1 through activation of AMPKα.

(A) PC3 and DU145 cells ells were exposed to increased concentration of solamargine (6 μM) for 24 h. Afterwards, the expression of MUC1 proteins was detected by Western blot. (B) PC3 and DU145 cells were treated with compound C (10 μM) for 2 h before exposure of the cells to solamargine (6 μM) for an additional 2 h. Afterwards, the expression of MUC1 protein were detected by Western blot using antibodies against MUC1. (C) PC3 and DU145 cells were transfected with the control or AMPKα siRNA (50 nM) for 24 h before exposing the cells to solamargine for an additional 24 h. Afterwards, AMPKα and MUC1 protein expression were determined by Western blot. (D) PC3 and DU145 cells were treated with compound C (10 μM) for 2 h before exposure of the cells to solamargine (6 μM) for an additional 2 h. Afterwards, the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA arboxylase (ACC) were detected by Western blot. (E) DU145 and PC3 cells silenced of AMPKα by siRNA previously were transfected with control and AMPKα overexpression vector for 24 h before exposing the cells to solamargine (6 μM) for an additional 24 h. Afterwards, MUC1 protein expressions were determined by Western blot. Silencing of AMPKα was detected by Western Blot previously. (F) PC3 and DU145 cells were treated with solamargine (6 μM) and metformin (5 mM) for 24 h. Afterwards, the expression of MUC1 protein were detected by Western blot. The figures are representative cropped gels/blots that have been run under the same experimental conditions. Values in bar graphs were given as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments performed in triplicate. *Indicates significant difference as compared to the untreated control group (P < 0.05). **Indicates significant difference from solamargine treated alone (P < 0.05).