Figure 4

Effects of Akt inhibition on cell morphology and the expression of the epithelial and mesenchymal markers. (A) KOSCC-25B cells had an elongated shape, assuming a fibroblast-like appearance. In contrast, PIA-treated KOSCC-25B cells seemed to restore their epithelial morphology of a polygonal shape. In phalloidin staining, KOSCC-25B cells demonstrated circumferential, cortical actin (blue arrowheads), and actin in elongated filopodia (white arrowheads); however, no actin stress fibers were detected. In contrast, PIA-treated cells revealed an abudance of actin stress fibers (yellow arrowheads). Scale bar: 100 μm (black), 20 μm (white). (B) Inhibition of Akt activity increased the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, and reduced the Vimentin expression in KB and KOSCC-25B cells.