Fig. 5. p63 expression modulates DDR in cervical cancer cells.

CaSki cells were transfected with scrambled or p63 siRNA and exposed to 3.5 Gy ionising radiation 48 h following transfection. Cells were collected at indicated time points post-irradiation. a Cell cycle analysis showing that in the absence of p63, CaSki cells fail to undergo G2/M arrest in response the gamma irradiation at earlier time points. b Western blot analysis of p63 expression in irradiated cells and the untreated controls. c A fraction of cells were fixed and subjected to immunocytochemical staining for phospho-p53BP1. The number of foci per nucleus was quantified by using ImageJ. Error bars represent the s.e.m. ****p < 0.0001. d Western blot analysis showing the levels of γH2AX and pChk2 in scrambled and p63 siRNA-transfected CaSki cells, 48 h after transfection. e Activation of DDR following was assessed by measuring the levels of γH2AX and pChk2 by western blotting