Figure 4.

TUFT1-knockdown TNBC cells are more sensitive to doxorubicin and taxotere. (A) TUFT1 mRNA expression was lower in epirubicin/docetaxel responder BC samples by ONCOMINE analysis. (B) scr-shRNA- and TUFT1-shRNA-MDA-MB-231 cells were injected into nude mice as described in the Materials and Methods. The tumor volumes were measured following treatment with or without doxorubicin (n = 5). Representative images showing tumor formed in nude mice after injection with scr-shRNA- or TUFT1-shRNA cells and IHC staining of TUFT1 in tumor tissues. (C) Tumor volumes in four groups. (D,E) Western blot showing the expression levels of Rac1-GTP, Rac1 and β-catenin in scr-shRNA- and TUFT1-shRNA-MDA-MB-231 cells following treatment with various doses of doxorubicin or TUFT1-shRNA-HCC1937 cells following treatment with various doses of taxotere for 24 h (n = 3). (F,G) Apoptotic cell death was detected by PI single staining method following treatment of scr-shRNA- and TUFT1-shRNA-MDA-MB-231 cells without or with 200 ng ml⁻¹ of doxorubicin or TUFT1-shRNA-HCC1937 cells without or with 200 ng ml⁻¹ of taxotere for 24 h (n = 3). Numbers in the subG1 phase (blue bar) represent the percentage of apoptosis. Results are presented as means ± SD. The statistical significance was assessed by student's t-test; ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01.