Figure 1.

Targeting AKT3 and WEE1 synergistically inhibited melanoma cell growth. (A) and B, Dose-response curves of siRNA targeting AKT3 or WEE1 were undertaken by nucleofecting increasing amounts of siRNA targeting WEE1 and AKT3 followed by measurement of cellular viability after 3 d of growth in serum-free medium. For combination analysis, 50 or 100 picomoles of AKT3 were combined with increasing amounts of WEE1 siRNA. (C) and (D), The combination index (CI) analysis showed synergism between AKT3 and WEE1 when targeted together. Columns; mean (n = 6–8); error bars, SEM. (E) and (F), siRNAs targeting AKT3 alone or in combination with increasing amounts of WEE1 siRNA were introduced into melanoma cells via nucleofection and protein levels were measured 2 d later. ERK2 served as a control for equal protein loading. Western blot analysis was reproduced at least twice.