Figure 1.

Downregulation of TNK2 by siRNA induces morphological and cytoskeletal changes in human breast cancer cells. (a) MDA-MB-231 cells treated with TNK2-targeting SiRNAs (S1, S3) were observed to undergo morphological changes after transfection relative to the nontargeting SiRNA control (N). These changes consisted of an increased elongated appearance and a reduction in the number of protrusions at the membrane edges. A representative western blot illustrating the downregulation of TNK2 achieved by siRNA (S1, S3) treatment relative to β-actin is shown. (b) The morphology changes observed in TNK2 SiRNA-treated cells were not observed in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with SiRNA directed against breast cancer antioestrogen resistance 1 (BCAR1). (i) Cells transfected with nontargeting (N), TNK2-targeting (S1) and BCAR1-targeting (#3) siRNA. (ii) The morphological changes induced can also be seen as an alteration in the actin fibre network. Staining for F-actin and costaining for the nuclear compartment with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole is shown for cells treated with nontargeting (N), TNK2-targeting (S3) and BCAR1-targeting siRNA (#3). A representative western blot illustrating the downregulation of TNK2 (S1) and BCAR1 (#3) achieved by SiRNA treatment relative to β-actin is shown.