Figure 5
Expression of PTEN in primary RCC cells of different metastatic potential after treatment with calcium. Expression of PTEN in primary RCC cells of patients developing no metastases or bone metastases within 5 years after nephrectomy (3/category) was analyzed by Western blotting after treatment with 5 mM calcium for 30 min or without treatment. β-actin was used as a loading control. The expression of PTEN was lower in bone metastasizing cells and further diminished after treatment with calcium. *1 p = 0.025, *2 p = 0.009. The columns represent the amount of antigen determined by computer-aided integration of the bands after subtraction of the background and referred to the value of β-actin. Demonstrated are the mean values in% of untreated non-metastasizing cells (= without metastases) and the standard error.