FIG 4.

Akt3 efficiently promotes neurite formation in Neuro-2A cells. Neuro-2A cells were cotransfected with an empty vector (pcDNA3.1) (A), a plasmid expressing Akt1 or Akt2 (Panel B), or Akt3 (C and D) (1 μg plasmid DNA) and a plasmid expressing the lacZ gene (0.1 μg plasmid) to mark transfected cells. (B) A typical result from cells transfected with Akt1 or Akt2. To induce neurite sprouting, 24 h after transfection, cells were seeded into new plates at a low density (2,000 cells/cm²) and then incubated with minimal essential medium (MEM) that contained 0.5% serum for 3 days. Cells were fixed, and β-Gal⁺ cells were detected by staining.