Figure 4.

PYK2 activates AKT and promotes colon cancer cell aggressiveness.

Notes: (A) Using pcDNA3.1 vector or non-specific siRNA (NS-siRNA) as control, SW480 CAC cells were transfected with PYK2-siRNA or PYK2-plasmids, revealing that PYK2 can upregulate the protein phosphorylation level of AKT2. Besides, expression of c-Myc and Cyclin D1 proteins, two well-acknowledged AKT2 downstream effectors, were positively modulated by PYK2 levels. (B) RT-qPCR assay demonstrated that c-Myc and Cyclin D1 were regulated by PYK2 from the transcription levels. Functional analyses showed that overexpression of PYK2 increased cell proliferation (C) and invasion (D). Data were presented as mean ± SEM, *P<0.05 by Student’s t-tests compared with control groups.

Abbreviations: con, control; SEM, standard error of the mean.