Functional inhibition of total AKT activity
is associated with
a decrease in neuroblastoma cell proliferation. (A) Cell number and
(B) cell viability analysis were performed using Trypan Blue dye exclusion
assay on BE(2)-C cells after transfection with mock, control siRNA
(siCtrl), and AKT isoform siRNA (siAKT1 nos. 1 and 2, siAKT2 nos.
1 and 2) at the indicated time points. Data are reported as averages
(n = 3, ± S.E.M). Statistics were calculated
by comparing control siRNA-treated cells with AKT isoform siRNA (#, p < 0.05; ##, p < 0.01; ###, p < 0.001). (C) Representative pictures of clonogenic
assay for mock, control siRNA, and AKT isoform-specific siRNA (siAKT1
nos. 1 and 2, siAKT2 nos. 1 and 2). Means of at least three individual
assays. Statistics were calculated by comparing the colony number
of the control siRNA-treated cells with the AKT isoform-transfected
cells. (#, p < 0.05). (D) Representative pictures
of 3D BE(2)-C spheroids after transfection with mock, siCtrl, siAKT1,
and AKT2. Spheroid area (arbitrary unit, AU) was determined at 8 days
after cell seeding. Data are reported as averages (n = 3, ± S.E.M). Statistics were calculated by comparing control
siRNA-treated cells with AKT isoform siRNA (*, p <
0.05).