Figure 2. CDK1 mediates paclitaxel-induced chemoresistance through caspase-9.

(A) Total caspase-9 and phospho-caspase-9 levels were analyzed by western blot. Actin was used as a loading control. CS, chemosenstive; CR, chemoresistant. (B) HeyA8-MDR and SKOV3-TR cells were treated with nocodazole to arrest cells in their mitosis. Noco, nocodazole; Als, alsterpaullone; PTX, paclitaxel. (C) Cell death was compared between three experimental groups: alsterpaullone-pretreated cells (upper left), alsterpaullonepretreated cells with added nocodazole (upper right), and alsterpaullone-pretreated cells with added paclitaxel and nocodazole (lower left). Administration of paclitaxel was followed by nocodazole treatment. (D) Populations of adherent (blue) and floating (green) cells are shown. Dead cells were stained with red dye.